Cranford – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ has been selected as one of just 16 institutions nationwide to participate in the National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) Institutional Mentorship Program. UCNJ is the only community college selected from the Northeast, placing the College among a select group of institutions working to expand applied artificial intelligence education and prepare students for an evolving workforce.
Through the yearlong initiative, UCNJ will work with NAAIC mentors and industry partners to develop industry-aligned applied AI credentials that connect academic learning with the skills employers increasingly expect. The program provides participating institutions with mentorship, professional development, industry-informed resources, and guidance to support curriculum development, faculty preparation, employer engagement, and sustainable AI education programs.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way we live and work, and it is essential that our students are prepared for that future,” said UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “UCNJ’s selection for this national initiative gives us an opportunity to translate innovation in AI into meaningful educational and career pathways for our students. We are committed to ensuring that they graduate with relevant skills that prepare them for successful careers and economic mobility.”
Representing UCNJ in this initiative are Agnes Drupka, Dean of Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Faraz Siddique, Dean of the STEM Division, and John Agar, Academic Specialist in Computer Science. Their work will help guide the College’s development of applied AI credentials and strengthen alignment between academic programs and workforce needs.
NAAIC connects community colleges, industry leaders, and educators nationwide to advance AI education and workforce development. Through its mentorship program, participating institutions learn from experienced colleges, access industry-informed resources, and build the capacity to develop sustainable AI programs that respond to workforce needs.
UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.