Cranford, NJ – 黑料网, NJ has appointed Agnes Drupka as UCNJ鈥檚 inaugural Dean of AI Innovation. Drupka previously served as the College鈥檚 Assistant Director of Institutional Research and Research Analyst, where she helped modernize institutional analytics through the strategic application of artificial intelligence. Since 2022, she has leveraged AI-supported analytics to accelerate reporting cycles, strengthen data integrity, and reduce manual error across regulatory, accreditation, compliance, and institutional reporting functions, advancing the College鈥檚 capacity for more agile and data-informed decision-making.
An emerging national voice at the intersection of artificial intelligence, student success, and institutional effectiveness, Drupka has presented at major professional conferences and national convenings on the practical application of AI in higher education, including the use of generative AI to strengthen accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and strategic decision-making. Drupka is expected to earn a doctorate in Artificial Intelligence from Capitol Technology University in 2027. Her dissertation research focuses on predictive modeling of STEM student attrition and the development of proactive AI-enabled intervention strategies that support students throughout their academic journeys. Her work emphasizes the ethical use of technology to identify barriers to student persistence and improve student outcomes through timely, personalized support.
As Dean of AI Innovation, Drupka will help lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive institution-wide artificial intelligence strategy designed to strengthen teaching and learning, expand student engagement and persistence, enhance workforce readiness, and improve operational effectiveness across the College. Her leadership will support the institution鈥檚 broader commitment to innovation, responsible AI adoption, and student-centered transformation.
鈥淯CNJ is committed to preparing students for success in a workforce increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies,鈥� said UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. 鈥淎t the same time, we recognize the tremendous opportunity AI presents to strengthen teaching and learning, improve institutional effectiveness, and better serve our students and community. Agnes brings a forward-thinking and student-centered approach to this work, and her leadership will help position UCNJ at the forefront of responsible and impactful AI integration in higher education.鈥�
The College鈥檚 expanding AI initiatives are focused on the responsible integration of emerging technologies to strengthen student success, academic excellence, workforce readiness, and institutional effectiveness. Through the use of predictive analytics, AI-enabled student support tools, and enhanced professional development opportunities, the College is advancing innovation across teaching, learning, operations, and decision-making while preparing students and employees for a rapidly evolving future of work and higher education. The creation of the Dean of AI Innovation position reflects UCNJ鈥檚 continued investment in forward-looking strategies that enhance opportunity, responsiveness, and long-term student and workforce outcomes.
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鈥檚 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 .