Working Groups and Participants

Academic and Curriculum

The Academic & Curriculum Working Group worked on ways to make AI Exploration Day a meaningful learning experience that instructors can connect to coursework before, during, and after March 26. This team created a self-enroll Canvas resource hub with templates, assignment ideas, syllabus language, and participation-tracking options that faculty can adopt as-is or adapt for their Spring 2026 courses. They also designed materials for multiple teaching contexts (including courses that meet on Thursdays and those that do not) so that all courses can reference the day in a relevant way. In addition, the group hosted a January faculty workshop to provide hands-on support and build confidence in implementing these resources.

Working Group Lead:

Jessica Simon, Pedagogical and Instructional Innovation Specialist, Center for Educational Innovation and Excellence

Working Group Members:

Ashish Borgaonkar, Assistant Professor, School of Applied Engr & Tech, Newark College of Engineering

Michael Lee, Associate Professor, Informatics, Ying Wu College of Computing

Cesar Bandera, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, MT School of Management

Leir Chair in Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Management

Theresa Hunt, Senior University Lecturer, Humanities & Social Sciences, Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts 

Michael Laudenbach, Assistant Professor, Humanities & Social Sciences, Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts 

Andrzej Zarzycki, Associate Professor, NJ School of Architecture, Hillier College of Architecture and Design

Megan LeLay, Instructional Designer, Assoc Provost for Online Programs, Office of the Provost

Jaskirat Sodhi, Senior University Lecturer, School of Applied Engr & Tech, Newark College of Engineering

Breakout Sessions

This group designed the academic backbone of AI Exploration Day by curating targeted sessions that reflect NJIT’s expertise and the many ways AI intersects with disciplines and industries. This team developed the call for breakout session proposals, reviewed submissions, and made selections to ensure a strong, balanced program. They have also supported the next phase of implementation by confirming presenters, coordinating session logistics with other planning teams, and aligning session placement and scheduling to create a clear, high-quality experience for attendees.

Working Group Leads:

Jamie Payton, Dean, Ying Wu College of Computing

Matthew Bandelt, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering; Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Newark College of Engineering

Working Group Members:

Burcak Ozludil, Associate Dean, Albert Dorman Honors College

Linda Cummings, Distinguished Professor, Office of the Dean - CSLA Distinguished Professor

Hyojin Ki, Associate Professor, Hillier College of Architecture and Design

Adeel Akhtar, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engr, Newark College of Engineering

Jing Li, Associate Professor, Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing

Kieran Murphy, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Ying Wu College of Computing

Fernando Vera Buschmann, PhD Student, Data Science, Ying Wu College of Computing

Deniz Najafi, PhD Student, Digital Electronics Engineering, Newark College of Engineering

Kathy Naasz, Research Professor, MT School of Management

Maurie Cohen, Professor, Humanities & Social Sciences, Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts 

Alex Zhou, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Newark College of Engineering

Shaahin Angizi, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Newark College of Engineering

Living Lab: AI in Action

This group supported the build for the hands-on, interactive experience that brings AI Exploration Day to life across campus. This team has recruited and coordinated Living Lab station hosts, gathered key information about each station to ensure alignment with the goals and audience of the event, and helped shape the overall “story” of the Living Lab experience. They are also working across units to support station readiness— coordinating how stations will be distributed across campus to create an engaging, discoverable experience for participants.

Working Group Leads:

Frances Haies,Director of Portfolio and Project Management, Digital Strategy & CIO

Justine Krawiec,Director, Learning Technologies, Digital Learning & Campus Support

Student Showcase

This group curated one of the most student-centered features of AI Exploration Day: a space for NJIT students to present their ideas, projects, and innovations related to AI. This team has refined the call for proposals, reviewed submissions, and selected student participants. They are also responsible for shaping  the showcase experience by preparing communication and support for students, developing judging criteria and recognition processes, and planning the overall structure and layout to ensure the showcase is engaging, meaningful, and accessible to a wide campus audience.

Working Group Leads:

Burcak Ozludil, Associate Dean, Albert Dorman Honors College 

Michael Davis, Director of Student Life, Off of Student Involvement & Leadership

Mathew Schwartz, Associate Professor, School of Art and Design, Chair, School of Art + Design, Hillier College of Architecture and Design