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Main Speakers
Our keynote and lunch and learn speakers bring a wealth of knowledge at the intersection of AI, education, and workforce development. Their discussions will help frame the big questions of the conference—centered on what learning and living look like in an AI-driven world, and how educators can prepare themselves, their students, and their institutions for what comes next.
Joyce Malyn-Smith
Joyce Malyn-Smith, EdD, is Director of Strategic Initiatives in Workforce and Human Development at EDC and a national authority on STEM career development and workforce education. Her research centers on the future of work and its implications for lifelong learning, investigating the human dispositions and foundational skills needed to collaborate with machines in solving complex problems.
Malyn-Smith explores what it means to be human in an AI-driven world and works to align education systems with the demands of emerging technologies, such as AI, big data, and computational thinking. Malyn-Smith partners with community colleges nationwide to define future-ready competencies and develop tools that connect academic programs with evolving industry needs.
Session Speakers
Breakout sessions will be led by a distinguished group of AI experts from across ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø’s faculty and staff. These presenters bring extensive academic, industry, and applied experience in AI.
James Brusseau
James Brusseau, PhD, teaches at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø in New York City and at the University of Trento in Italy. His academic research explores the human experience of artificial intelligence in the areas of authenticity, freedom, and personal identity.
Matthew Ganis
Matthew Ganis, PhD, is a professor of computer science on the Pleasantville Campus. A 40-year veteran of IBM, Ganis is recognized as an industry expert in agile software methodologies. He has spoken extensively on iterative development methods and the use of social media analytics to understand customer sentiment and behavior. Ganis is the author of two books—one on distributed Scrum and another on social media analytics—and has published more than 50 papers across his fields of expertise.
Hetal Mistry
Hetal Mistry, MS, is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science and an adjunct professor, teaching Introduction to Computing, Web Design for Non-Profit Organizations, and AI in the Workplace. Her research tackles two high-impact challenges: developing hybrid Graph Convolutional and Graph Attention Network models to detect anomalies across domains in cybersecurity, and exploring how mobile and fixed broadband access correlates with carbon emissions across global economies. Her work bridges AI, sustainability, and cybersecurity, aiming to drive both technological innovation and responsible digital growth.
Johnni Medina
Johnni Medina, MA, is the manager of content and digital engagement in ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø's University Relations and the creator of a suite of custom AI bots for ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø marketing teams. They have also helped lead AI literacy initiatives, delivered generative AI curriculum to students and staff, and consulted on AI adoption at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø and beyond. Medina focuses on designing practical, people-first systems that require no programming knowledge, enabling broad integration within nontechnical teams.
David Sachs
David Sachs, EdD, is a professor of information systems in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems and has served as faculty co-chair of the University’s AI Committee since April 2024. Sachs authored the AI materials currently used in CIS-101, which has served over 2,000 undergraduates, and manages many of the AI training initiatives underway at the University.
Christelle Scharff
Christelle Scharff, PhD, is a professor of computer science, associate dean, and co-director of the AI Lab in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. She holds a PhD in symbolic artificial intelligence from INRIA, France’s National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology. Her research spans global software engineering, mobile for social change, and machine learning, with grants from NSF, IBM, Microsoft, VentureWell, and Google. A two-time US Fulbright scholar, she conducted research in Senegal in 2012–2013 and 2019–2020.
Joe Seijo
Joe Seijo is the associate director of instructional design and an adjunct instructor in the criminal justice program in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. He supports faculty in developing online courses for both new and existing programs. His current focus is empowering faculty to confidently integrate AI into their teaching to enhance course content and increase student engagement.
Diane Snyder
Diane Snyder, MEd, has a 40-year career in education, engineering, and technology. After starting as a systems engineer at General Electric, she moved into academia and now serves as an adjunct professor of telecommunications. Her recent work focuses on creating hands-on AI courses that teach technical foundations and practical applications, managing STEM grants for underrepresented groups, and integrating ethical AI into educational curricula.
Gordon Snyder
Gordon Snyder, MS, is a veteran STEM educator with four decades of experience. He authored four engineering textbooks, co-founded the Hi-Tec Conference, and has led National Science Foundation–funded Centers of Excellence in emerging technologies. Recognized as one of the top 15 STEM faculty in the United States by Microsoft, Snyder has served as an adjunct professor since 2005. His current work focuses on AI curriculum development and collaborating with academic and industry partners to advance practical, trustworthy AI use.
Gabriel Terrizzi
Gabriel Terrizzi, BA, is the director of web, mobile, and AI services. He authored the University’s first ethical guidelines for the use of generative AI and co-developed the institution’s inaugural faculty-approved classroom policy on AI. Terrizzi has led the development and deployment of AI tutors, overseen the training of T-Bone, the University’s AI-powered chatbot, and taught multiple sections of the University’s pioneering AI in the Workplace course for students, faculty, and staff.