Working Group on Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is redefining teaching, research, and institutional operations across higher education. At Montclair State University, we are approaching these developments with careful attention to alignment with the University’s mission, ethical use, and appropriate safeguards, while strategically shaping how AI supports academic excellence and institutional advancement.
To support this work, the University has formed a Cross-Functional AI Working Group (AIWG), composed of faculty and staff from across the institution.
This webpage highlights the work of the AI Working Group while also serving as a central connector for the Montclair community, sharing AI-related policies, practices, research initiatives, curricular activities, and learning opportunities emerging across the University.
AIWG Mission and Charge
The AI Working Group guides the responsible and strategic use of artificial intelligence across the University. Convened by Academic Affairs and Information Technology, the group advises senior leadership on policies, best practices, and opportunities that support academic excellence, effective administration, and ethical innovation.
The Working Group focuses on aligning AI adoption in teaching, research, student support, and administrative operations with institutional values, legal and ethical standards, and the needs of the University community. Through cross-divisional communication and collaboration, it promotes informed decision-making and the development of AI competencies among faculty and staff as AI technologies continue to evolve.
AI Working Group Sponsors
- Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President
AI Working Group Co-Chairs
- Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs
- Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Technology Officer
AI Working Group Members
Sharif Akkara, Livia Alexander, Harold Andrieux, Dayna Arcurio, John Bonin, Jessica Brandt, Melissa Ginotti, Michael Hacker, Jeanette Hanlein, Dominique Harb, Emily Isaacs, Marina Johnson, Yi Luo, Manveer Mann, Jordanna Maziarz, Andrew Mees, Suresh Murugan, Adam Rathbun, Jo-Ann Robinson, Justin Savage, Patrick Scioscia, Vera Senina, Corey Vigdor, Patricia Virella, Ilse Wambacq.
AI Working Group Structure
AI Curricular Development Committee
The Curricular Development Committee examines how advances in artificial intelligence are reshaping disciplinary knowledge, professional expectations, curricular composition, and approaches to assessment.
AI Fluency and Competency Development Committee
This committee defines AI literacy, competency, and fluency for operational and professional contexts and makes recommendations for professional development workshops, events, and programming.
AI Opportunities Committee
The AI Opportunities Committee is currently working on developing guiding principles for AI opportunities prioritization at the University.
AI Policies Committee
The AI Policies committee is responsible for identifying and prioritizing institution-wide AI policy needs. It is currently finalizing the university-wide policy on artificial intelligence.
AI Webpages and Databases Committee
The Web and Database committee is responsible for developing and maintaining a digital infrastructure for documenting and circulating the University’s AI-related initiatives.
Montclair Team at the 2026-27 Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum
Montclair State University is participating in the Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum, a seven-month, team-based program that supports colleges and universities in responding to the opportunities and challenges artificial intelligence presents for teaching, learning, and academic programs.
Montclair’s Institute team is composed of members of the University’s AI Working Group (AIWG). Through the Institute, the team will focus on two interconnected areas of the University’s ongoing AI work: curriculum and faculty development.
AI at Montclair: Resources and Community
AI Tools and Data Privacy: What Students and Staff Should Know
Montclair’s Information Technology Division offers guidance on privacy, security, and responsible use when working with AI tools. Learn what to consider before sharing information with AI systems, how to assess potential risks, and when additional caution may be warranted.
Practical Responses to AI
Artificial intelligence presents new challenges for teaching and learning across disciplines. This collection of resources put together by the Office for Faculty Excellence helps faculty understand the evolving landscape, consider pedagogical implications of AI, and make informed choices about AI in their courses.
AI Tools for Research and Writing
University Libraries provide information about generative AI features that are increasingly being incorporated into electronic research platforms. Their guidance outlines available features and considerations for evaluating whether and how to use them appropriately and responsibly.
Reading List on AI in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Pedagogy : Sign-up
This reading list is updated weekly and circulated via email.
Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM)
PRISM (Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics) at Montclair State University is a New Jersey STEM Professional Development Provider. PRISM provides a center for continuous learning and skill enhancement to improve teaching practices, curriculum design, and student outcomes.
AI at Montclair: Research
New Study: AI's Impact On Youth Character Development
RYTE Institute to examine how AI-driven learning environments shape student agency and purpose at Alpha School thanks to a $257K John Templeton Foundation grant.
Collaborative Robotics and Smart Systems Laboratory (CRoSS Lab)
CRoSS Lab is founded by Dr. Weitian Wang and located in the School of Computing at Montclair State University. The theme of CRoSS Lab’s research is to release robots from cages and empower human-robot interaction to be high-quality, easy-to-implement, and cost-competitive in human-centered collaborative contexts
The NLP Lab
The NLP Lab at Montclair brings together Linguistics and the School of Computing, combining linguistic insights with rigorous, cutting edge methods in machine learning and other computational approaches to process human language.
Contact
With any questions, ideas, or suggestions, please contact AIWG's Project Lead Vera Senina.
- Faculty Developer