When President Beth Martin first attended an AI conference hosted by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), she had no idea it would spark a journey that would shape Notre Dame 91¸ŁŔű×ĘԴվ’s (NDNU) approach to innovation. With over 7,000 participants—including NDNU’s own Greg White and Greg Zubacz—the event made one thing clear: artificial intelligence was no longer a distant concept. It was here, and it was transforming education.
“It was obvious that AI was exploding in education and would play a dramatic role in teaching and learning,” Beth recalls.
That realization led NDNU to join CIC’s national initiative, AI Ready, which brings together faculty and staff from across the country for monthly conversations about AI’s role in higher education. NDNU didn’t hesitate to get involved.
Early Adopters with a Purpose
NDNU was ahead of the curve, adopting Element451, an AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) platform, nearly two years ago to support the Admissions team. The results were immediate and impactful.
“Element451 helped shorten the time from application to admission, which is especially important to adult learners,” Beth explains. “Since then, we’ve seen our enrollment numbers increase dramatically.”
The decision to embrace AI wasn’t just about efficiency—it was about staying relevant in a rapidly evolving world.
“We recognized that we had to get involved with Artificial Intelligence ASAP or get left in the dust,” Beth says. “Businesses are looking for employees who are not only experts in their fields but also fluent in AI. That’s the direction we need to be heading.”
Ethics and the Hallmarks: A Guiding Light
Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. That’s why NDNU is taking a thoughtful approach to AI integration. A task force led by Greg Zubacz is currently developing a charter for responsible AI use across departments and courses.
And what about NDNU’s cherished Hallmarks?
“The founding principle of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur is to teach people what they need to know for life,” Beth says. “AI is certainly becoming something people need to know how to use—and how to use responsibly.”
The Hallmarks serve as a moral compass, ensuring that as NDNU embraces new technologies, it does so with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to the common good.
“If you’re following the Hallmarks while using AI, you can be confident you are using AI responsibly.”
AI in the President’s Daily Life
Beth doesn’t just talk the talk—she walks the walk. AI has become a helpful tool in her own professional life.
“I use AI for mathematical calculations, for research, and for editing,” she shares. “Research is probably the biggest use. I used to picture a graduate student running around the library gathering sources. Now, AI can do that legwork—and it even provides the sources, which reduces the anxiety of trying to track everything down.”
She also keeps a close eye on the stock market, particularly AI-related companies, noting how this dynamic field is influencing industries across the globe.
Looking Ahead
NDNU’s journey with AI is just beginning, but the foundation is strong. With thoughtful leadership, ethical grounding, and a community committed to lifelong learning, the university is well-positioned to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.
“We’re not there yet,” Beth says, “but we’re working on it.”