AI@Iona
AI is Big. Education is Bigger.
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way people communicate, work and create. These new tools touch every industry, and the effects they are having are undeniable. For some, this is cause for great concern. But at Iona, we have a clear vision for our students and faculty.
AI for Students
Iona University has always been committed to cultivating students who have the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to an ever-changing world. Being adept at using AI is now a critical part of every student’s journey, but it does not end there. Our students are taught to leverage artificial intelligence in ways that empower and prepare them so that they can thrive in any professional setting.
AI for Educators
Similarly, faculty at Iona are embracing the possibilities artificial intelligence is opening up for the classroom. Through research, collaboration, workshops and seminars, our faculty have become leaders in the space of AI and education. Iona faculty are often sought out to provide their expertise to educators throughout the tri-state area and have published nationally on the role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
"Iona is well ahead of many places I visit..."
-John Warner, award-winning author of “More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI.”
AI Empowered from Day One
Starting from their first day on campus, students are empowered through AI awareness, exploration, real-world application and professional preparation for success in an evolving workplace.
My professors' guidance in mastering AI technologies allowed me to deploy AI for efficient report finding. This let me focus on deep analysis, leading to the exciting opportunity of presenting at a professional conference.
- Jerome Tarter '26, Business Analytics & Information Systems major
Academic Programs
While faculty are continually finding new ways to incorporate artificial intelligence across all disciplines, Iona is also developing programs dedicated to AI and its applications.
Minor in Artificial Intelligence
Iona University is preparing students for a world in which artificial intelligence touches every industry. Students of all majors are encouraged to explore the Artificial Intelligence (AI): Foundations and Applications Minor to gain familiarity and expertise with the foundational principles, latest tools and best practices associated with AI.
Advanced Certificate in AI for Business
AI is transforming the business world, enhancing analysis, improving decision-making, fostering innovation, and driving efficiency. This program equips graduate students and working professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to apply AI strategically and responsibly, giving them the tools to stand out in the marketplace and lead with confidence in an AI-driven business landscape.
Featured Initiatives
AI in the Classroom
Building the Next Generation of Creative Problem-Solvers
Rob Kissner, clinical lecturer at the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, recognized the importance of AI in the classroom early on. He’s been incorporating emerging technologies such as AI in his teaching for over six years, with the aim to “…prepare students to enter a workforce that expects individuals and teams to understand how to use generative AI productively and ethically in their roles and careers.”
AI in Conversation
On the Forefront of Thought Leadership
Iona continues to be a leader in the conversation around artificial intelligence and its application across industries. Last year, renowned thinkers including D. Graham Burnett, Ph.D., and Shannon Vallor, Ph.D., were featured as part of our Presidential Speaker Series. Students and faculty alike attended compelling lectures that culminated in fruitful dialogues around topics such as creativity, attention and agency in the era of AI.
AI in Action
Expanding AI & Data Literacy Across Disciplines
Recognizing the fact that “…basic data literacy is becoming an indispensable skill across all fields,” Iona University has created the “Data Science for Future Leaders” project. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to empower students with the essential skills required to navigate today’s data-driven world, regardless of their academic backgrounds.
AI for FACULTY & EDUCATORS
We do not look at AI as an existential threat, but as a welcome opportunity to deepen and extend the teaching and learning that are core to our mission.
Explore AI@Iona’s resources to find tools and events that place both theory and practice in thoughtful educational and ethical contexts.
The rise of AI challenges us to recognize the core motives of our mission as a university and our vocations as educators. More importantly, it gives us the opportunity to reaffirm both.
AI is in the news - and on campus.
From AI workshops to numerous faculty-led integrations of AI tools, AI@Iona is taking root across campus and in classrooms.
Contact Us
For more information, or to share your thoughts and ideas, please contact us at AI@iona.edu.
Access Support
Iona's librarians are available to offer guidance and consultation on a number of AI tools, and will be monitoring and assessing others as they become available.
Attend an Event
Visit the AI@Iona calendar for information on upcoming events.
Additional Resources
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
This primer will walk you through the basics of AI, ChatBots, creating content with AI and much more.
Faculty Services
Find out about Instructional Design Workshops, explore technology training and much more from the Faculty Services page.
Helpful Articles
Explore how educators are incorporating AI into their workflows, classrooms and much more!
Success is going to come from getting experts to use these systems and share what they learn.
Navigating AI in Higher Education: Iona Faculty Publish National Op-Ed
Iona University faculty made national headlines with the publication of a powerful new op-ed exploring the role of artificial intelligence in higher education.
Authored by Christine Hardigree, Ph.D.; Rob Kissner, MBA; Christy Solorio, Ph.D., RN; and Ivy Linton Stabell, Ph.D., the article – featured in the USA Today Network – showcases Iona’s thoughtful, mission-driven approach to the evolving educational landscape.
From left to right: Christy Solorio, Ph.D., RN; Ivy Linton Stabell, Ph.D.; Christine Hardigree, Ph.D.; Rob Kissner, MBA.
Iona University Leads the AI Conversation on FOX5
Iona University's Rob Kissner recently appeared on FOX5, offering his expertise on the impact of artificial intelligence in education. The segment explored the opportunities and challenges AI presents for students and teachers, showcasing Iona's commitment to being at the forefront of technological innovation.
“It comes down to teaching students responsibility,” Kissner explained. “Responsibility over the information they take in and the responsibility for how they represent themselves with the information they put out into the world.”
AI@Iona Events
November 14, 2025
- Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning
- 2:00pm - 5:00pm
What has been most encouraging is that many people who initially found AI threatening, or were skeptical of its utility, have been surprised and energized by the fresh perspectives they are discovering by working with AI tools. AI@Iona aims to spread that energy to foster campuswide attention to the possibilities of AI.
