RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University is proud to celebrate Dr. Deanna Valente, Dean of Academic Technology, on her induction into the NJ AI Hub’s Fall 2026 Faculty Futures AI Studio cohort. Dr. Valente was selected as one of 25 leaders and faculty members from institutions across New Jersey tasked with developing responsible, intentional, and forward-thinking approaches to adopting artificial intelligence in higher education.

Over the course of the program, the cohort will collaborate with subject matter experts and fellow members on four presently evolving tracks: AI in Teaching & Learning, AI in Technical Frontiers, Writing in the Age of AI, and AI for the Future of Work.

New Jersey is currently building one of the most ambitious, equitable, and future-oriented ecosystems for artificial intelligence and technology systems. The New Jersey AI Hub seeks to contribute to the state’s influence in this ever-evolving market by leading with one simple belief: we can go further together than any of us can go alone.

“AI has the potential to expand human creativity, personalize learning, and encourage students and faculty to achieve more than ever. I wanted to continue the good work the AI Task Force has accomplished and to collaborate with other institutions motivated by similar goals,” said Dr. Valente.

Dr. Valente serves as a co-chair of Felician’s AI Task Force, bringing an ethical, transparent, and innovative mindset to the student learning experience. Her participation in the AI Studio reflects Felician University’s mission to empower the next generation of leaders by equipping students and educators with the vision, knowledge, and tools to make a lasting impact on our local communities and the world at large.

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About Felician University 

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,800 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. Felician University was recognized in Newsweek’s America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, earning distinction as the No. 1 college for women in New Jersey. Additionally, Felician has been named a best value school by payscale.com and Money magazine, and as one of the best college locations in NJ (#4) by 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 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, transformation, solidarity with people in need, justice and peace 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/