EdgeCon Winter 2025

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, the key to maintaining a competitive edge lies not only in adopting AI technologies but also in embracing a mindset focused on continuous learning and adaptability. This workshop introduces the AI Upskilling Taxonomy that emphasizes the importance of reskilling the workforce with a focus on essential skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience, in addition to just technical expertise. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the need to shift from mere AI adoption to fostering a growth mindset that encourages personal and professional development. The true value lies in developing the capacity to learn, unlearn, and relearn in a constantly evolving technological landscape. Individuals and organizations that prioritize lifelong learning and proactive upskilling can navigate the uncertainties of AI integration more effectively. This holistic approach empowers employees to not only keep up with technological advancements but also to use AI as a tool to augment their own capabilities. As a result, fostering a culture of continuous improvement will be crucial in preparing New Jersey’s workforce for the future.   

Presenter:

• Michael Edmondson, Associate Provost, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Higher education technology is undergoing a pivotal phase shift, navigating the liminal space between the past and the future. Institutions face a stark choice: retreat into the stability of legacy systems or embrace the transformative potential of emerging technologies. This presentation explores the dichotomy between these paradigms, contrasting the structured, productivity-focused past—characterized by databases, deterministic algorithms, and tools like the Microsoft Office Suite—with the unstructured, human-centered future, defined by AI, cloud computing, Python, and automation.

Grounded in Per Bak’s theory of self-organized criticality and Pierre Lévy’s phases of human development, the discussion highlights how small technological shifts can catalyze systemic transformation. It emphasizes the transition from structured data to unstructured intelligence, from repetition to adaptive machine learning, and from quantity-driven productivity to quality-focused collaboration between humans and AI.

The session challenges institutions to confront the “no middle” reality: clinging to legacy systems limits innovation, while adopting future-focused technologies enables resilience, adaptability, and intelligence augmentation. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the critical decisions shaping HigherEd computing and strategies to position their campuses as leaders in this transformative era.

Presenter:

• Robert Clougherty, CIO, Drew University

Whether you use AI regularly or are just starting to learn about it, AI is not going anywhere. As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various sectors, its impact on education and industry becomes increasingly significant. This panel discussion aims to explore the intersection of AI, education, and industry, focusing on what industry wants, what students are learning formally and on their own, and what the implications for future careers—and the respective training needed for them—are. We will delve into how Career and Technical Education (CTE), creative industries, and academia are adapting to these technological changes and preparing learners for the evolving workforce.  

Panelists include 1st Street Partnerships Co-Founder and AI strategist Monk Inyang; the tech visionary, speaker, and author Rachael Mann; and a current New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) student or graduate. We will entertain questions after asking our panelists how they see AI being used in formal and informal educational settings at various levels, which tools they think are most useful for different populations, and what skills they think are necessary to flourish in this rapidly changing economy and workforce. What do these trends and considerations all mean for you whether you’re a student, a working professional, or an educator? A team member from the Learning and Development Initiative at NJIT/New Jersey Innovation Institute will moderate and facilitate audience questions and discussion. 

Participants:

• Stefanie Toye, Project Manager, The Learning & Development Initiative, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Rachael Mann, Keynote Speaker | TEDx Speaker | AI in CTE Strategist | Author of Pack Your Bags for an AI-Driven-Future, The Martians in Your Classroom, The CTSO Competition Companion | 2022 Top 30 Global Gurus
• Monk Inyang, Co-Founder, 1st Street Partnerships

In today’s data-driven world, higher education institutions face the challenge of harnessing the power of data to enhance their effectiveness. Through the inception of the Division of Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination, Kean University has empowered its community to access, analyze, and utilize data to support decision-making and foster innovation. This presentation explores the pivotal role of data visualization for driving institutional effectiveness, offering insight into how visual representation of data can drive informed and streamline decision-making. Through our historical and real-time student data, attendees will gain the highlights of how Kean is utilizing data visualization in transforming datasets into actionable insights and fostering the data-driven culture across the institution. By leveraging data visualization strategies, institutions can make more informed decisions, gain deeper insights, and achieve their goals with greater efficiency and impact.    

Presenters:

• Neva Lozada, Associate Vice President of Administration, Kean University
• Michael Salvatore, Senior Vice President of Administration, Kean University

This session aims to present innovative AI-driven solutions designed to enhance technology operations and optimize resource utilization in academic institutions. The focus will be on two conceptual solutions. 

Solution One is tailored for academic institution users, including students, faculty, and administrative staff, to overcome decision-making difficulties and resource constraints by utilizing existing technology. It features requirement analysis, a recommendation system for optimal technology platforms, resource optimization, system comparisons, user training, and advanced research tools. The benefits include cost savings, improved efficiency, better decision-making, increased research productivity, enhanced collaboration, and time savings. 

Solution Two, on the other hand, is designed to assist technical teams in developing custom solutions, creating architecture designs, and considering additional aspects based on customer requirements. This will aid project management teams in gaining diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. 

By implementing these AI-driven solutions, academic institutions can significantly enhance their operational efficiency and resource utilization, ultimately leading to a better educational experience for all stakeholders. 

Presenter:

• Mahmudul Siddiquee, Enterprise Application Architect, Rowan University

Join John Bruggeman, Consulting CISO, for an insightful session exploring the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in cybersecurity and network operations. Delve into the risks and rewards of deploying AI in security frameworks and discover how AI-driven operations are enhancing network efficiency and end-user experiences. Additionally, hear from Chris Treib of Geneva College as he shares his journey implementing AI Operations in a real-world educational setting, providing students with valuable hands-on experience and future-ready skillsets. This session is a must for anyone looking to understand the transformative impact of AI on the cybersecurity landscape.

Presenters:

• John Bruggeman, CISO, CBTS
• Kirk Rooney, Solutions Architect, CBTS
• Chris Treib, CIO, Geneva College

Effective mentorship programs are essential to career access and can significantly impact key institutional outcomes such as retention, graduation rates, and alumni engagement. In this session, we will explore how higher education institutions can build scalable mentorship programs that drive both immediate and long-term success. 

The presentation will dive into strategies for matching mentors and mentees using PeopleGrove’s AI-powered technology, which streamlines the mentorship process by intelligently connecting individuals based on a variety of criteria, including industry, identity, academic background, personal interests, and career aspirations. By leveraging these multi-dimensional similarity points, PeopleGrove’s platform ensures more meaningful and relevant mentorship experiences, fostering deeper relationships that drive student and alumni satisfaction.

Furthermore, PeopleGrove offers robust data collection and analysis tools that provide institutions with real-time insights into mentorship effectiveness. These data-driven reports track key metrics such as student engagement in mentorship activities, retention rates, and career progression, offering a clear view of first-destination outcomes. Institutions can also measure the long-term impact of mentorship on alumni engagement and giving, making it easier to demonstrate a return on investment to leadership and stakeholders. By offering this comprehensive visibility, PeopleGrove empowers institutions to continuously optimize their mentorship programs, ensuring that they not only meet student needs but also align with institutional goals such as increasing alumni giving and building a lifelong culture of philanthropy.

In this session, attendees will gain actionable insights on how to build mentorship programs that are scalable, data-driven, and impactful. By exploring case studies and best practices from peer universities, attendees will learn how to maximize engagement, enhance student outcomes, and foster long-lasting relationships that benefit both students and alumni throughout their careers.

Presenters:

• Ashley Scales, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Nicole Stewart, SVP, Campus Partnerships, PeopleGrove