The AI Connection: Decoded Futures Selects Berkeley College for AI Cohort
Monday, March 3, 2025
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
DECODED FUTURES SELECTS BERKELEY COLLEGE FOR AI COHORT
Photo Caption: A group photo of the second cohort of Decoded Futures, an initiative at the Tech:NYC Foundation, intended to assist education institutes and nonprofits with increasing their artificial intelligence (AI) agency and incorporating AI tools into daily operations. Photo credit: Tech:NYC/Decoded Futures.
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Berkeley College recently was selected to participate in the second cohort of Decoded Futures, an initiative at the Tech:NYC Foundation intended to assist educational institutes and nonprofits with increasing their artificial intelligence (AI) agency and incorporating AI tools into daily operations. Founded in 2024, Decoded Futures is backed by Robin Hood and Google.org.
Randy Gómez, Director of Corporate and Community Relations, New York, who helps local businesses thrive through innovation and higher education, will represent Berkeley College as part of the cohort.
“My focus in expanding AI in higher education is to increase efficiency in student engagement and provide students with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving workforce,” Gómez said. “AI has the potential to personalize learning, streamline support services, and equip students with future-ready skills, which is a key differentiator in higher education today.”
Jason Gulya, PhD, Professor, English and Applied Media, Berkeley College Division of General Education, and a Mentor with the American Association of College and Universities’ Institute for AI, Pedagogy, and Curriculum, said the expansion into AI can offer numerous opportunities to staff, students, and the community. Berkeley College even offers a Bachelor of Science in Applied Media program, which prepares students to master verbal, written, and visual communications to help shape the future of the ever-changing media industry. The program also incorporates ethical, legal, and political issues in the field of mass communications.
“The real power of generative AI is that it gives institutions the ability to create their own solutions, rather than outsourcing them to a company or other institution,” Gulya said. “My hope is that colleges will bring students on board, giving them a chance to co-create solutions alongside faculty and staff. This is the moment to collaborate and to cut across disciplines and silos."
Gómez said that while many might associate AI with platforms such as ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, the cohort will explore other AI applications relevant to student success, including:
• Machine Learning for Predictive Analytics – Identifies at-risk students and proactively offers support.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) Tools – AI-powered chatbots for student services, advising, and administrative efficiency.
• AI-Driven Career Coaching – Personalized job-matching platforms and resume optimization tools.
• Automated Data Analysis – Identifies trends in student engagement and learning outcomes to improve curriculum design.
“AI can play a transformative role in giving back to our community by improving access to resources, career readiness, and support services,” Gómez said. “For example, AI-driven mentorship programs, predictive analytics for student success, and chat-based career coaching can help underserved students navigate education and employment pathways more effectively. Additionally, AI-powered partnerships with community organizations can enhance workforce development initiatives and lifelong learning programs.”
According to Gómez, who coordinates Berkeley College’s Corporate Learning Partnership program in New York, participating in the cohort also aligns the College with key partners who are actively shaping the future of AI. She stated how joining this year’s Decoded Futures’ cohort will enable Berkeley College to align itself with other industry leaders who share similar values and missions.
“To be future-ready, our students will need to know the basics of AI and how they can work it into their everyday lives and work, while remaining true to themselves,” Gulya said. “Generative AI gives us the chance to lean in to time-honored and evidence-based approaches to teaching. This includes putting students at the center of the learning process."
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success.
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