JERSEY CITY, N.J. – September 25, 2026 – Saint Peter’s University has been awarded $3 million in federal funding over five years under the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the Department of Education to advance artificial intelligence education, innovation and career readiness through a comprehensive initiative called Peacock AI and Career Excellence for Success (PACES).
The grant will support major investments in the University’s academic programs and infrastructure as Saint Peter’s expands opportunities for students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly AI-driven workforce. Through PACES, the University will support the development of new AI-focused academic programs, expand faculty and staff development in AI, and establish AI Exploration Labs, an AI Teaching and Learning Center, and an AI Hub. In addition to expanding AI education, PACES is designed to strengthen student success across the University. Over the five-year grant period, the initiative aims to increase first-year retention and six-year graduation rates by giving students clearer pathways from their first semester through graduation and into their careers
The AI Exploration Labs will provide students and faculty with access to advanced computing resources for coursework, applied projects and AI development, connecting classroom learning with real-world applications. The AI Hub will extend those capabilities through high-performance computing that can support research, collaborative projects and engagement with external partners. Together, these investments will emphasize the ethical, responsible and creative use of AI, reflecting Saint Peter’s Jesuit mission and its commitment to educating students to use their knowledge and talents in service to others.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming virtually every field, and our students need more than an understanding of the technology — they need the ability to apply it thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively,” said Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D., President of Saint Peter’s University. “This award will allow Saint Peter’s to significantly expand what we can offer our students while preparing them to become leaders and innovators in an evolving workforce.”
At the same time, the grant will strengthen career preparation across disciplines by expanding access to internships, micro-internships, and other experiential learning opportunities, helping students connect their academic experiences to the evolving needs of employers and prepare for meaningful careers in a changing economy. A new Workforce Development Specialist will lead this effort, partnering with regional employers to identify in-demand skills and create internship and work-based learning opportunities for students. The specialist will also work directly with students, beginning in their first year, to explore career pathways and build plans that connect their academic experiences to the evolving needs of employers. These efforts will help students prepare for meaningful careers in a changing economy.
Student success efforts will begin in the first year. Through Saint Peter’s Ignatian Seminar, every first-year student will build a personalized four-year academic and career plan. Through PACES, Saint Peter’s will continue building on its commitment to career preparation and upward mobility by integrating emerging technologies into the student experience. The initiative will strengthen connections among academic programs, workforce needs, and career development while giving students additional opportunities to develop AI literacy and skills that can complement their chosen fields of study.
“PACES gives Saint Peter’s and the School of Global Innovation and AI the resources to move from vision to implementation,” said Sharath Kumar Jagannathan, Ph.D., Interim Dean of the School of Global Innovation and AI and Chief AI Strategist for PACES. “We will develop new AI and emerging-technology academic pathways, establish AI Exploration Labs and the AI Teaching and Learning Center, expand access to advanced computing, and help faculty integrate AI thoughtfully across disciplines. Just as importantly, we will connect these investments to workforce needs so that students learn not only how to use emerging technologies, but how to apply them ethically, creatively, and effectively in their professions.”
The $3 million award represents a significant investment in Saint Peter’s efforts to prepare students for a changing economy while ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are accessible to students across disciplines. By combining AI education with the University’s liberal arts foundation and Jesuit tradition of reflection, discernment, and service, PACES will help students approach artificial intelligence not simply as a technology to be mastered, but as a powerful tool to be used responsibly in addressing the needs of their professions and communities.