Global Faculty Summit 2026
AI, the Joy of Learning, and the Future of Human-Centered Education
“If AI can do more of the work, what should learning feel like and what is the faculty role in protecting the joy of learning?”
The Global Faculty Summit brings together faculty and educators to explore how AI is shaping teaching and learning. It focuses on how to keep learning meaningful, human, and connected while using AI thoughtfully. You will leave with practical ideas and a clearer sense of your role as an educator in this new context.
Eligibility and Participation Criteria
This Summit is designed for university faculty, instructors, academic leaders, and educators interested in strengthening meaningful, human-centered learning in higher education.
No formal prerequisites are required.
Participants should be currently teaching or involved in higher education.
Eligibility can be confirmed through institutional email or role selection during registration.
What You’ll Get
- Practical ways to keep learning meaningful, engaging, and human-centered.
- Ideas to design learning experiences that go beyond content and focus on connection and purpose.
- Approaches to adapt teaching in a changing educational landscape.
- A clearer understanding of the evolving role of faculty.
- Strategies to support student engagement, reflection, and authentic learning.
Summit Experience
Each session is a 3-hour global experience designed for engagement and reflection:
- Plenary Session
- Two rounds of interactive breakout discussions and focus groups
- Panel Session
- Cross-session reflection and synthesis
Keynote: AI and the Future of Learning: What Must Remain Human
Dr. Najiba Benabess
In this engaging conversational plenary session, Dr. Najiba Benabess explores how artificial intelligence is transforming higher education, leadership, and the future workforce while emphasizing the enduring importance of human intelligence, ethics, empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. Drawing from her experience as Associate Provost for AI, Online Education & Corporate Partnerships and Dean of the School of Business at Neumann University, Dr. Benabess will discuss how institutions can embrace AI innovation responsibly while preparing students and faculty for a rapidly changing world. This session will challenge participants to think beyond technology itself and consider how higher education can preserve human connection, mission, and purpose in the age of AI.
Dr. Najiba Benabess
Associate Provost for Online Learning, AI and Academic Partnerships, and Dean of the School of Business
Neumann University, Pennsylvania
Najiba Benabess is a distinguished academic leader, author, and professor of economics, recognized for her impactful contributions to higher education and the business community. She currently serves as Associate Provost for AI, Online Education, and Academic Partnerships, as well as Dean of the School of Business at Neumann University.
Dr. Benabess holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a master’s degree in economics from Western Illinois University. Committed to continuous growth and leadership excellence, she completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education Leadership Program in October 2020.
An accomplished scholar and speaker, Dr. Benabess has presented her research at national and international conferences and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. In November 2023, she authored Irreplaceable Human Intelligence: Surpassing AI, further establishing her voice in the evolving conversation around AI and human capability. Her work on ethical AI was featured in Forbes Middle East in June 2025.
Her leadership and contributions have been widely recognized, with features in USA Today and the International Business Times in 2024. In 2026, she was honored by MSN as one of the “Visionary Women Redefining Success.”
Beyond her professional work, Dr. Benabess is deeply engaged in her community, driven by a passion for empowering individuals and fostering meaningful growth across both academic and business communities
Innovation in Action: Student Panel
SMART ELEV8
Hear from members of the SMART Capstone team, mentored by Dr. Sanaz Tehrani, who designed and developed ELEV8, an AI-powered faculty development platform for Westcliff University.
Built to address real institutional needs, ELEV8 personalizes faculty learning pathways, recommends resources, and provides support through an integrated knowledge hub and chatbot. Panelists will share how they applied AI in an educational setting, what they learned through the SMART initiative, and how the project shaped their Westcliff experience. The session will conclude with an open Q&A on the project, the technology, and the student journey behind ELEV8.
Noorul Jasmine Jalaludeen
Mursal Sikandary
Amol Gaikwad
Matthew Panzica
Sanaz Tehrani
Frequently Asked Questions
Is audience participation allowed?
Yes. Each session is live and fully interactive.
Will there be a recording available after the event?
Recordings will be available for distribution.
Will there be a certificate of attendance?
Yes, each registered attendee will receive a certificate of attendance and a participation badge.
Do I need any prior knowledge of AI to attend?
No prior knowledge is required. The Summit is designed to be accessible and relevant for all faculty.
How long is the Summit?
The Summit is a three-hour virtual event that includes a plenary session and interactive discussions.
Are there different session times available?
Yes. The Summit will be offered in two separate sessions (morning and afternoon). Participants can choose the time that works best for them.
What happens if I cannot attend the full session?
Participants must attend the full three-hour session to receive a certificate of attendance and a participation badge. Attendance will be verified during the session.