Greetings IAIER Supporters,

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women who continue to shape innovation, research, and leadership across disciplines—including in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

March has been a dynamic and impactful month for IAIER. We were proud to kick off NCCU Research Week with our AI Symposium, Research Remix: AI in the Real World, highlighting how artificial intelligence is actively shaping coursework, research, and career pathways. We also convened our Spring AI Summit, sponsored by Deloitte, bringing together students, faculty, staff, community members, and leaders from government and industry for meaningful dialogue, learning, and engagement.

These efforts reflect NCCU’s continued commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community impact, as outlined in Soaring to New Heights: Vision 2030. Through IAIER, we are expanding access to AI education, strengthening workforce readiness, and advancing partnerships that support economic and community development across North Carolina and beyond.

We are grateful to all who joined us for our March events and look forward to closing out the semester with additional opportunities to learn, connect, and engage.

As we continue to grow, we welcome opportunities for collaboration, partnership, sponsorship, and philanthropic investment. To explore ways to engage with IAIER, please contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for being part of the IAIER community. Together, we are shaping what’s next.

Warm Regards,

🔘 NC AI & Cybersecurity Symposium

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady joined leaders from across the state for the NC AI & Cybersecurity Symposium, contributing to the session “Smart Learning: Where Human Potential Meets AI.” 

She emphasized that while AI continues to evolve how we learn and train, the human element—creativity, discernment, and critical thinking—remains essential. Grounded in IAIER’s work at NCCU, she highlighted how intentional AI integration across disciplines is preparing students not just to use AI, but to lead with it. 

🔘 U.S. Mayoral Roundtable (ElevateGov AI) 

Dr. Grady participated in the U.S. Mayoral Roundtable, hosted in Durham by Mayor Leonardo Williams, alongside mayors and national leaders working at the intersection of technology and public impact. 

The conversation focused on building scalable AI frameworks that cities can actually put into practice. Representing NCCU and IAIER, she contributed to discussions centered on responsible innovation, collaboration, and ensuring AI solutions are grounded in real community needs. 

🔘 NC News & Information Summit

At the NC News & Information Summit, Dr. Grady served as a panelist for the keynote session, “NC’s AI Crossroads: Innovation, Investigation & the Public Interest.” 

She spoke to the importance of responsible AI use, addressing human bias, and encouraging a thoughtful, discerning approach to emerging technologies. Her message was clear: AI should not be feared but understood—and used in ways that strengthen how we inform, serve, and engage our communities. 

🔘 Classroom Engagement: Intro to Communications

IAIER’s reach continues in the classroom. Nicole Hodges, IAIER Strategic Communications Lead, connected with students in Professor Brett Chambers’ Intro to Communications course, sharing insights on strategic communications across both the NCCU Graduate School and IAIER. 

The conversation explored how AI can be used as a creative tool within communications, offering students a practical look at how emerging technology and storytelling intersect in real-world work. 

🔹 NCCU AI Hackathon 

Innovation took center stage at the NCCU AI Hackathon, sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild, where students brought bold ideas to life through hands-on problem solving and real-time collaboration. 

With a $10,000 prize pool on the line, teams from NC State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill rose to the top, showcasing what’s possible when talent, creativity, and AI come together. The event highlighted the power of cross-institutional collaboration and the next generation of builders stepping confidently into the future of AI. 

IAIER was also well represented, with Emerging Leader Arlena Nwosu earning third place, while Student Advisory Member Dawn Modest and GSA President Cameron Shaw secured an honorable mention—further highlighting the strength of NCCU’s student talent in this space. 

🔷 AI Symposium: Research Remix – AI in the Real World 

Kicking off NCCU Research Week, the AI Symposium: Research Remix brought the campus community together for a dynamic day of exploration and exchange. 

From student and faculty lightning talks to a keynote from Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, the event spotlighted how AI is being applied in meaningful, real-world ways. A faculty research highlight from IAIER Seed Grant Awardee Dr. Penny Carroll further underscored the depth of innovation happening across campus. 

🔷 IAIER x Deloitte AI Summit 

The IAIER x Deloitte AI Summit packed the room—so much so that extra chairs had to be brought in—as leaders across education and industry came together for a powerful conversation on the future of AI. 

With a strong focus on AI literacy and real-world application, the summit featured a dynamic keynote from Deloitte Principal Dr. Tasha Austin-Williams and a leadership panel moderated by Dr. Siobahn Grady, including NCCU Chancellor Dr. Karrie G. Dixon and other distinguished voices in the field. 

From start to finish, the energy reflected a shared commitment to preparing students, strengthening faculty work, and driving meaningful progress through AI.

This month for Women’s History Month, we handed out roses—but the meaning behind them goes far beyond a single moment. It’s about recognizing the women who continue to lead, build, and show up with vision and purpose. 

As AI continues to grow, the people shaping it matter. Women are helping guide how these tools are used, how they serve others, and how they evolve for the future. 

At IAIER, that presence is part of the foundation—seen in the work, the leadership, and the direction we’re heading. 🌹

The momentum is building—and it shows.

With 844 participants engaged so far, IAIER continues to bring students, faculty, staff, and the broader community into meaningful AI conversations through events like the NCCU AI Hackathon, AI Symposium: Research Remix, and the IAIER x Deloitte AI Summit.

This early engagement reflects a growing curiosity and commitment to understanding how AI is shaping the future.

That includes: 
• 334 students 
• 275 faculty and staff 
• 235 community members 

IAIER continues to contribute to the broader conversation around artificial intelligence through newly published research from members of our community. 

Haley Hickman and Dr. Selena Judon-Monk are co-authors on a recent publication with RTI exploring human interactions with artificial intelligence and emerging directions for future research. The work examines how people engage with AI systems and highlights key areas for continued study as these technologies become more integrated into everyday life. 

This contribution reflects IAIER’s commitment to thoughtful research that not only explores what AI can do, but how it impacts the people who use it. 

Read more here.

IAIER Emerging Leader Dr. Pia Duncan recently contributed to a publication examining the impact of artificial intelligence on career pathways for criminal justice students at HBCUs. 

The work explores potential challenges and considerations as AI continues to reshape workforce expectations, highlighting the importance of preparation, awareness, and forward-thinking strategies in this evolving landscape. 

Read more here.

2026 has been a high-impact season at IAIER. Let’s close this semester out strong. Join us!

Curated events and opportunities we’re watching across the region.

Technopalooza 2026 - Hosted by NCCU ITS

🗓 April 7, 2026 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍NCCU Student Center

An interactive tech experience hosted by NCCU Information Technology Services, featuring hands-on demos, networking with tech professionals, and opportunities to explore careers and internships. View the flyer here.

🔗 Register: forms.office.com/r/kbXWr7aZLX

Tech Night at the Durham Bulls — Hosted by RapidScale 📅 Sept. 9, 2026 | ⏰ Gates open at 5:30 p.m. | 📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park RapidScale will once again host a tech-focused student picnic at the Durham Bulls, featuring a private party deck, ballpark fare, and an evening of networking and community following last year’s successful event. Registration details will be shared later this spring. More details coming soon.

What We Do
Advance responsible AI education, research, and workforce readiness across NCCU.

How We Show Up
• Faculty research and seed grant support
• Student learning pathways and leadership development
• Campus and community engagement
• Strategic industry and institutional partnerships

What We’re Not
An IT help desk or one-off consulting service. IAIER focuses on scalable, university-wide impact.

Want a deeper look? View the full IAIER overview (PDF).