Artificial Intelligence, Real Progress

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Convocation 2024 Returns to the Charlestown Campus with a Faculty-Led Exploration of AI’s Impact on Teaching and Learning

This year, convocation was different.

The first in-person convocation since the fall of 2019, Bunker Hill Community College faculty, staff, and student leaders gathered for the College’s 2024 Convocation on Thursday, August 29, on the Charlestown Campus.

“It is wonderful to be in community with you,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger in her opening remarks. “Over the last four years, we have learned to do our work with commitment and excellence in many different ways. As educators we know that there is great value in coming together in critical moments like this.”

In his introductory remarks, Provost and Vice President James F. Canniff celebrated the College’s considerable gains in enrollment this year, due in large part to the advent of free community college in Massachusetts, and to the school’s investments in teaching and learning supports. “Whether it’s our new planned Center for Teaching and Learning, or investments in student success and retention across departments, we know that equity-minded, holistic practices and strategies are so important to our work.”

The theme of the 2024 Convocation was Artificial Intelligence, and the day featured a keynote address by Associate Director of Teaching and Learning at Achieving the Dream Susan Adams, followed by a Faculty panel discussion moderated by Adams and ATD Chief Network and Program Officer Dr. Monica Trent. Faculty on the panel included: Elizabeth Miller, Professor and Chairperson, Computer Science Department; Paul Kasili, Professor, Biology and Chemistry Department; Julio Flores, Professor, Visual and Media Arts Department; and Ashley Paul, Professor and Chairperson, English Department.

Faculty panelists shared their experiences working with AI tools in their classrooms, as well as their recommendations, concerns, and hopes for the future role artificial intelligence tools will play in higher education.

Watch the recording of the Convocation Keynote and Panel Discussion

In addition to the AI discussion Vice President for Human Resources Molly Ambrose shared introductions to new faculty and staff and the College’s 2024 Performance Recognition Program Nominees. This year, two BHCC employees were nominated: Elizabeth Miller, Professor and Chairperson of the Computer Science Department and

Kristen Wenger, Interim Senior Director and Professor of the Nurse Education Department. Professor of Business Administration Wissal Nouchrif was nominated for the Carballo Award for Public Service, a statewide award recognizing excellence among state employees.