Greetings IAIER Community, 

While we paused our newsletter over the summer, we did not pause our momentum. The Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER) has been hard at work advancing our mission—and we’re entering Fall 2025 with renewed energy, expanded impact, and powerful partnerships. 

👥 IAIER Team Expansion 
I am proud to announce and welcome new team members to IAIER. Each of them plays an integral role in our day-to-day operations and is essential to advancing our mission. Building this team has been a critical step in ensuring IAIER’s continued growth, impact, and sustainability. 

Their expertise, energy, and commitment reflect the core values of our institute—and of North Carolina Central University. I invite you to get to know our new team members below. 

📅 We’re proud to unveil our Fall 2025 calendar of events: The Power of Participation – AI for All, All Fall Long! This semester, we’re bringing together students, faculty, staff, industry leaders, and community partners to explore AI in dynamic, inclusive, and interdisciplinary ways. From interactive workshops to major summits, there’s something for everyone—and we invite you to register early and engage fully. 

🌟 IAIER Emerging Programs Launched 
We launched three signature programs this summer in collaboration with Division of Student Affairs, Information Technology Services, The Office of e-Learning, and Office of Faculty and Professional Development: 

We received an overwhelming response—with 54 student applications and 26 faculty/staff applicants—and we’re thrilled to announce our inaugural cohort members in this issue. 

💡 Seed Grant Initiative 
Out of 19 outstanding proposals, 11 faculty-led projects have been awarded seed funding to advance research and innovation across disciplines. This work reflects the strength of NCCU’s intellectual capital and IAIER’s commitment to fostering discovery. 

🤝 Strategic Partnerships & State Impact 
This summer, we partnered with the Office of the North Carolina State Treasurer and OpenAI to lead a pilot study on their use of generative AI. The findings were presented at a statewide press conference, underscoring NCCU’s leadership in responsible AI research and policy. 

We also established a new partnership with KR Scholars, who will help support our AI Emerging Scholars and Leaders programs—strengthening our talent pipeline and building capacity for innovation. 

At IAIER, we believe in empowering our campus and community to soar. Every initiative this fall aligns with NCCU’s Strategic Plan, Soaring to New Heights: Vision 2030—from fostering academic innovation, to expanding student success, to catalyzing transformational partnerships that position North Carolina Central University as a national leader in the future of AI. 

We remain open to new collaborations, funding opportunities, and cross-sector partnerships. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in working with us—we welcome you into the IAIER ecosystem. After all – AI is for everyone.

With Eagle Pride,

_{Siobahn Day Grady, Ph.D.}

This year, we officially introduced our internal IAIER team and got straight to work! Each member plays a key role in shaping our events, research, and outreach, helping us bring AI innovation and education to NCCU and beyond. 

IAIER’s Internal Advisory Board acts as a cross-campus network that connects experts from multiple disciplines and areas of leadership. By bringing together voices from research, student affairs, law, business, communications, and more, the board allows IAIER to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for AI initiatives at NCCU. 

Members provide insight on upcoming programs, guide event planning, and actively participate in IAIER’s work—helping us align our efforts with the university’s broader vision for innovation and academic growth. 

2025 Internal Advisory Board Members 

National Hispanic Heritage Month 

From September 15 to October 15, we recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to highlight the lasting influence of Hispanic and Latino communities on science, technology, and innovation. 

At IAIER, we’re looking at how artificial intelligence connects with culture, history, and discovery. AI tools are transforming how information is preserved, stories are shared, and research is conducted. From digitizing historical records to enhancing language translation and supporting new technological breakthroughs, AI opens doors for deeper exploration and understanding. 

August marked a milestone for IAIER as we hosted two major events focused on shaping the future of AI learning at NCCU. Both events brought students, faculty, and partners together for collaboration, insight, and innovation. 

IAIER partnered with OpenAI Academy to host a first-of-its-kind summit on campus. More than 400 attendees—including students, faculty, community members, and representatives from multiple HBCUs—gathered for panels, workshops, and networking focused on shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Highlights included a laptop giveaway through the Digital Empowerment Leadership Program (DELP), a student-led panel, and a message from NC Governor Josh Stein celebrating NCCU’s leadership as the first HBCU with an AI institute.

BY THE NUMBERS:

Top Represented Institutions 

North Carolina Central University | 318

North Carolina A&T State University | 24

Duke University | 22

UNC - Chapel Hill | 21

Winston-Salem State University | 20

Impact at a Glance

Since spring, IAIER events have brought together nearly 1,000 students, faculty, staff, and community members through hands-on workshops, competitions, and our inaugural summit. To date, 943 people have engaged in IAIER programs—300 students, 344 faculty and staff, and 299 community members. Here’s how that impact breaks down across our major events:

This year, the Institute launched its Seed Grant Program in partnership with Graduate Studies as part of the Faculty Research Award Program (FRAP). These grants provide up to $10,000 in funding to faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students to spark early-stage AI projects, pilot innovative ideas, and generate the groundwork for future large-scale research. 

Program Goals 

Learn more about the awardees and their projects in the full PDF. ⬇️

We are excited to introduce the 2025 Emerging Scholars & Leaders—a group of students, faculty, and staff selected to participate in IAIER’s year-long development programs designed to equip the next generation of AI innovators and influencers at NCCU. The programs are offered in collaboration with Information Technology Services (ITS), Student Affairs, the Office of e-Learning, and the Office of Faculty and Professional Development (OFPD), with external support from KR Scholars.

These initiatives provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities, all while fostering applied AI projects that make an impact on campus and beyond. This year’s applicant pool was exceptional, and we are grateful for everyone who helped make these selections possible. The Emerging Scholars & Leaders Programs are a cornerstone of IAIER’s mission to support AI learning, mentorship, and innovation across NCCU.

About the Programs

2025 Emerging Scholars 

David Goins • Tanika Gonzales • Salina Ali • Felecia Casey-Hicks • Anthony De La Cruz Leal • Christian Coleman • Breonya Scott • Tiffany King • Jakeyia A. Ellis • Layson E. Brown 

2025 Emerging Leaders (5 Faculty / 5 Staff) 

Pia Anderson Duncan • Arlena Nwosu • Latasha Williams • Selena Judon-Monk • Dana Jones • Danielle M. Colbert-Lewis • Xiaojia Ji • Katrece Boyd • Reco Chavis • Mekhi Harris 

We’re excited to announce new collaborations with Google, LinkedIn Learning, and KR Scholars that strengthen IAIER’s mission to advance AI education and workforce readiness across NCCU and the wider community.

NCCU, through the IAIER Institute, has joined the Google AI for Education Accelerator. This collaboration expands access to free AI and career training for our students, faculty, and staff. Participants will have no-cost access to Google AI courses, Google Career Certificates, and advanced tools like Gemini and NotebookLM. Together with Google, we are preparing the NCCU community to lead in an AI-powered economy.

👉 [Sign up here for free → bit.ly/4fonWbv]

KR Scholars supports students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through scholarships, financial literacy programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and mentorship. Their goal is to prepare students for long-term success by providing resources that open doors to opportunity. 

Through our partnership, IAIER will collaborate with KR Scholars to integrate AI-focused education into career development programming, helping students gain both the tools and the confidence to thrive in an AI-driven world. 

As part of our growing commitment to AI education, IAIER—in collaboration with the Division of Extended Studies and the Office of Human Resources—is partnering with LinkedIn Learning to provide access to curated AI-focused courses and guided learning pathways. Students, faculty, and staff will be able to:

This partnership expands access to high-quality resources, ensuring our community can learn AI on demand and stay ahead as the technology evolves.

Graduate Assistants 

This year, we’re excited to welcome two graduate assistants to the team. These additions bring fresh perspectives and energy to our work, helping us expand what’s possible at IAIER.

As the Digital Empowerment Leadership Program (DELP) grant comes to a close, IAIER marked one final milestone in its mission to expand access to technology. During our inaugural AI Summit, the last portion of DELP funding was used to provide laptops to senior participants, equipping them with the tools needed to stay connected and engaged in an increasingly digital world. 

While this marks the end of DELP’s initial funding, its impact continues. IAIER will host a DELP Symposium in late September, bringing together community members, researchers, and partners to explore the future of digital access, technology education, and innovation. 

Artificial intelligence isn't just about code — it's about people, power, and possibility. This book club is a collaborative effort with the James E. Shepard Memorial Library and the Office of Alumni Relations. To learn more and participate, register here.

Fall 2025 Schedule and Selections:

September is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and lead in AI. Find out more and register by visiting our Linktree. Here are a few highlights from our calendar:

Lock in and join us! View the PDF of our calendar of events, featuring clickable event titles that direct you to flyers and more information. Stay connected with us on our social media, which you can also find on our Linktree.