Ibba also talked about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Although clear university guidelines regarding the use of AI have yet to be set, Ibba said that Chapman is working to be ahead of AI in academia through curriculum changes and integrating it as a source.
He cited pharmacy professor Sherry Wang, who recently won an AI Researcher of the Year award from the Women in AI Society, as an academic expert in the field. He also showed off a picture captured from a student-made AI-generated movie trailer.
“AI is part of how we’re making our students ready for the workforce,” Ibba said.
When Parlow returned to the stage, he spoke about campus civil discourse and praised the Or Initiative for teaching students and faculty how to have difficult conversations about complex, heated issues.
In recent years, student activism has grown more visible on campus. Several student demonstrations took place shortly before Parlow entered office, including protests for Gaza’s liberation, walkouts opposing the end of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and verbal remarks made during former President Daniele Struppa’s State of the University address last year.
Parlow is optimistic about the university’s commitment to free speech and civil discourse and continues to promote the value of seeing other perspectives.
“Chapman is uniquely situated to take this long-term dedication to free speech and civil discourse and really try to become national leaders on this, to model for others something that most of society is desperately struggling with,” he said.
Echoing the themes of growth and shared purpose that ran throughout the address, Parlow emphasized that the university’s success is rooted in its sense of community and collective mission.
“What we want to do is continue that momentum,” Parlow said. “The pride of being part of this special community that has this really unique and impactful mission, that we all feel part of something bigger than ourselves.”