RUTHERFORD, NJ—Felician University is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the Felician Forward AI Faculty Fellows Program, an initiative designed to foster innovative, ethical, and mission-centered applications of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, research, and university service.

The Faculty Fellows Program supports faculty in exploring how emerging AI technologies can enhance student learning while promoting responsible, transparent, and critically reflective use of artificial intelligence. Grounded in Felician University’s Franciscan values, the program encourages projects that advance student success, strengthen digital literacy, and model ethical approaches to AI integration across disciplines.

Following a competitive review process, two projects have been selected for implementation during the 2026-2027 academic year.

AI-Assisted Intro to Programming Pilot

Songmei Yu and Jose Martinez
School of Business and Information Sciences

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into modern software development, this project seeks to prepare students for the realities of contemporary programming practice. While traditional introductory programming courses focus primarily on writing code from scratch, today’s technology companies increasingly rely on AI-assisted coding tools to enhance productivity and problem-solving.

Guided by Felician University’s framework for Integrated and Critical AI Use, the pilot will help students develop programming fundamentals while also learning how to evaluate, test, debug, explain, and improve AI-generated code. Students will engage in structured reflection, testing and validation activities, AI-use disclosure practices, and critical analysis of both successful and flawed AI-generated solutions.

The project will generate assignment templates, AI-use guidelines, assessment rubrics, faculty development materials, and a scalable model for responsible AI integration in undergraduate computer science education.

AI as a Critical Reasoning Companion: Teaching Argument Verification and Reflective AI Literacy in the Liberal Arts

Daniel Calzadillas-Rodriguez
School of Arts and Sciences

As generative artificial intelligence becomes increasingly common in academic and professional settings, this project seeks to help students develop the critical reasoning skills necessary to evaluate AI-generated information rather than passively accept it. Implemented within PHIL 250: Making Moral Decisions, the pilot will introduce students to CRITO (Critical Reasoning, Inquiry, and Thinking with the Other), a GPT-based critical reasoning companion inspired by the dialogical method of Socrates and his interlocutors.

Guided by Felician University’s commitment to responsible and reflective AI engagement, the pilot will help students strengthen skills in argument analysis, verification, ethical reasoning, and critical evaluation of AI-generated content. Through structured dialogue, reflective assignments, process documentation, and AI-resilient course design, students will learn to question, critique, revise, and verify AI-generated interpretations and arguments while developing greater confidence in their own intellectual judgment.

The project will generate AI-use guidance materials, reflective learning templates, AI critique assignments, faculty resources for AI-resilient course design, and a transferable model for fostering critical AI literacy across the liberal arts and professional programs.

“I believe that AI is here to stay, so it is up to us educators to determine how to respond to it,” Daniel said. “One way of doing so is by experimenting with its capacity to enhance our classes without undermining our pedagogical commitments. I am hoping that this project provides the space to do so. 

The selected Faculty Fellows will participate in a year-long process of development, implementation, assessment, and dissemination. Their work will contribute to Felician University’s broader efforts to explore the safe, ethical, and effective integration of artificial intelligence in higher education while remaining grounded in the University’s mission, values, and commitment to transformative learning.

What Comes Next: The AI Test Kitchen Opens in August

The “AI Test Kitchen” will officially open in August 2026 — and that is when Songmei Yu, Jose Martinez, and Daniel Calzadillas-Rodriguez will begin demonstrating their work and concepts to the broader Felician community. Think of the AI Test Kitchen as a hands-on innovation lab where faculty learn by doing. Participants will move through a practical, four-phase experience: building a shared foundation in responsible AI use, completing a hands-on “build sprint” where they design and prototype their own AI teaching tools, piloting those tools in a real course during the Fall 2026 semester, and finally presenting their work at the Felician Forward AI Showcase in November 2026.

The Showcase will also mark the release of a Digital Learning Design Toolkit — a collection of ready-to-use templates, guidelines, and resources developed through the program and made available to faculty across the University. Together, these efforts reflect Felician University’s commitment to ensuring that both faculty and students can engage with artificial intelligence thoughtfully, confidently, and in keeping with the University’s mission and values.

“I joined the AI Forward project because I believe AI can make learning more engaging, personalized, and impactful,” Songmei said. “I am passionate about helping educators harness AI responsibly to better prepare students for an AI-driven future.”

The AI Task Force at Felician University is dedicated to guiding the responsible, ethical, and innovative integration of artificial intelligence across institutional policies, administration, teaching, and curriculum. It evaluates current AI practices while identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, learning outcomes, and workforce readiness in alignment with Felician’s mission of student-centered learning and academic excellence. Committed to equity, transparency, and data security, the task force ensures AI is implemented in ways that support the Felician community and prepares students for success in an evolving, AI-driven world. The AI Task Force is co-chaired by Dr. Anthony Scardino, Professor and Assoc. Dean, School of Business and Information Sciences, and Dr. Deanna Valente, Dean, Academic & Information Technology, Information Systems & Learning & Development.

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About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,700 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and Money Magazine and has been recognized as one of the best college locations in New Jersey (#4) according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list (#30). With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, and social justice are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International.  For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.