Fairfield University
CT · AI Readiness #71 of 227
AIREDEX™ Score: 7.9 /10
Fairfield University launched an undergraduate AI minor at its Dolan School of Business in fall 2025, with an AI Taskforce, a dedicated institutional AI webpage rooted in Jesuit values, and a growing slate of student-facing programming.
Fairfield undergrads can also tap into the AI Salon Series, Build-Your-Own GPT workshops, and an AI Literacy Guide through the library, while the Class of 2029 common read centers on AI as a shared starting point for the entire incoming class. The university's participation in Connecticut's Tech Talent Accelerator 3.0 has already produced a hands-on summer AI simulation project for CS students.
Pillar grades
- Commitment: B
- Curriculum: B+
- Partnerships: C+
- Research: A+
A(I)ttitude™: progressive
Selected Highlights
- University AI Taskforce confirmed with named chair (Rob Schnieders, EdD, VP Strategic Initiatives); documented output includes AI Showcase, BoodleBox deployment, and AI Salon programming within past 2 years.
- Rob Schnieders, EdD, VP of Strategic Initiatives, publicly named as 'head of the University's AI Taskforce' in official event postings; role includes policy and curriculum scope based on taskforce outputs.
- Dedicated AI landing page (fairfield.edu/artificial-intelligence/) articulates Jesuit-mission AI principles, names governance body, lists programs across all five schools, and references ethical guidelines and named initiatives; Dolan AI & Tech Institute published inaugural white paper.
- Undergraduate AI minor confirmed at Dolan School of Business, approved fall 2025, with expanded coursework, workshops, and experiential learning components.
- Multiple distinctly named student-facing AI programs confirmed: AI Salon Series (Library/CAS), Build-Your-Own GPT Workshop (Library), AI Literacy Guide (Library), AI Showcase for Teaching & Learning, CAE Faculty AI Workshop Series with student component, and Class of 2029 Common Read on AI.