Education Guide 7.26.26 - Flipbook - Page 11
| Sunday, July 26, 2026 11
Graduate Programs,
continued from page 3
Photo: Adobe Stock
At the University of Maryland Medical Center, a University
of Maryland Medical System informatician (left) assists a
nurse on the floor.
patient care,” Fisher says.
Fisher describes the program as “a
little gem in the marketplace,” noting
that the department is fortunate to have
access to innovative academic technologies, user-friendly software, and
interdisciplinary expertise, including a
computer science expert on the team.
UMSON faculty have also authored a
new textbook, Artificial Intelligence for
Nursing Education, that focuses on
helping nurse educators understand
and apply AI in ways that support
teaching, learning and clinical reasoning.
Students in certain courses will
also have access to the Joint Artificial
Intelligence Model in Education
(JAIMIE), a virtual teaching assistant
designed to answer student questions
around the clock. While readers may
conjure up an image of a traditional
robot made of metal and tin and speaking in clipped computer dialect, JAIMIE
is almost the total opposite.
Cory Stephens, D.N.P., R.N., C.N.E.,
NI-BC, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, assistant
professor, and co-creator Charlotte
Seckman, Ph.D., R.N., NI-BC, C.N.E.,
and co-director of the nursing informatics master’s and certificate program,
explain that JAIMIE is better under-
The Joint Artificial Intelligence Model in Education (JAIMIE)
stood as an AI-supported learning tool
that helps extend faculty support and
provides timely guidance when students need it. This tool is being used
in increasing numbers of courses and
serves as a replicable model for other
AI personas.
Stephens says, “I just asked JAIMIE
how he feels about his place in nursing
education and this is how he responded:
‘I don’t experience pride the way
people do, but if I could describe my
role, I’d say it’s meaningful to help connect students, faculty and knowledge.
Every question answered is another
step toward preparing nurses to shape
the future of health care.’”
Stephens and Seckman say they will
continue to update JAIMIE by expanding its knowledge base and strengthening UMSON’s competitive edge in
nursing informatics education.
career and earning certifications.”
One of the biggest highlights of
Stevenson’s program is coming from
employers, says Simkins.
“Employers prefer to hire from our
program due to the quality of applicants
and their ability to hit the ground running,” says Simkins. “We develop the
technical skills and also how it works
when they run a team. They need to know
exactly what to do.”
For working professionals looking to
expand their skill sets without committing to a full graduate degree, Loyola
University Maryland’s Sellinger School
of Business is taking a more flexible
approach.
Its applied artificial intelligence
post-baccalaureate certificate is designed
for those who already hold a bachelor’s
degree and are seeking to advance their
business capabilities, pivot careers or
build expertise in a rapidly growing field.
“This is really aimed at people who
are already working and want to enhance
their skills without necessarily pursuing
a full MBA right away,” says Paul Tallon,
professor of information systems.
The certificate is part of Loyola’s
stackable MBA, a modular approach that
allows students to earn graduate credentials incrementally. Students complete
one certificate at a time and can return
later to add more.
“It gives students the flexibility to build
toward an MBA in a way that fits their
schedule and career goals,” Tallon says.
The concept for the applied AI cer-
tificate emerged from Loyola’s information systems advisory board, a group of
industry professionals from across the
country, including representatives from
companies such as Google, Amazon and
Meta, as well as consultants and seasoned executives.
“They’re telling us what companies are
hiring for and what skills are in demand,”
Tallon says. “The board nudged us in the
direction of applied AI.”
The program emphasizes how organizations can use existing AI tools to improve
operations, drive decision-making and
create business value. Coursework
blends AI concepts with business strategy and includes topics such as analytics,
machine learning applications and ethical
considerations, including issues like bias,
data privacy and responsible use.
Students also gain hands-on experience applying AI to workplace challenges, preparing them to improve efficiency,
identify growth opportunities and support
innovation within their organizations.
The certificate is designed to be
accessible to a wide range of learners.
While some students may already have
technical experience, others are new to
AI and looking to build foundational skills
or expand their existing expertise.
Graduates are particularly prepared
for roles in middle management, where
understanding both strategy and emerging tools is increasingly important.
“This is helping professionals adapt,
upskill or even change direction,” Tallon
says.
