A New Era for Catholic Education – Iona University Magazine

Iona University Launches the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning

A new chapter in Catholic education is unfolding at Iona University.

Through the newly established Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, Iona is confidently charting a course that honors the rich traditions of Catholic education while boldly embracing the future. From student scholarships and faculty fellowships to the adoption of new technologies and teaching methodologies, the Gabelli Center stands firmly rooted in Iona’s core mission of faith, service and the transformative power of education.

The initiative is made possible through the generosity of Marc Gabelli; his mother, Elaine Madonna Gabelli, a longtime Catholic elementary school teacher; and the EMG Madonna Foundation, which supports and strengthens Catholic education.

“This is an exciting moment. With this generous gift, Iona is poised to continue and even grow our leadership in Catholic education both on campus and off,” said Iona University President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “I thank Marc, Elaine and the EMG Madonna Foundation for their vision and support of this vital mission.”

Academic Excellence

A Catalyst for Collaboration and Innovation

While much more than simply a structure, the Gabelli Center will stand adjacent to Ryan Library, in a beautiful brick façade building located just past the main gates of the New Rochelle campus.

The renovated space—open, inviting, collaborative and high-tech—will provide a dedicated meeting place where faculty, students and guest speakers gather to engage with cutting-edge technologies and educational practices.

“Teaching and learning are always works in progress,” Carey said. “From the start, that mindset will inform the Gabelli Center’s mission and methods.

Gabelli Certa Scholars

A Commitment to the Next Generation

A hallmark of the Gabelli Center is the Gabelli Certa Scholars program.

This 30-credit program offers academically rigorous and spiritually enriching experiences for early career professionals dedicated to Catholic education, providing a pipeline of well-prepared, passionate educators for K-12 Catholic schools.

Among other benefits, Gabelli Certa Scholars receive free graduate tuition and immersive teaching experiences through partnerships with local Catholic schools.

“We are excited to be working with the team at Iona,” said Marc Gabelli. “Our commitment is to reinvigorate the strengths of Catholic education in the New York area and have a great alignment with the objectives of Iona.”

An Iona Education student teaches reading to a young learner.

AI@Iona

Embracing the future

As Iona navigates the ever-changing landscape of teaching and learning, the Gabelli Center, too, will continue to evolve. As its inaugural point of focus, the Gabelli Center is taking on one of the most monumental topics of the times: artificial intelligence.

“The emergence of AI will not only reshape the nature of work, but also call
into question long-standing assumptions about the nature and transmission of
knowledge,” Carey said. “This provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to reexamine our understanding and pursuit of teaching and learning.”

Hence, the emergence of the AI@Iona initiative.

The AI@Iona initiative serves as a catalyst to stimulate and coordinate engagement with artificial intelligence, preparing both faculty and students for the profound changes AI will bring to various sectors—and to the world at large.

Dr. Amy Stackhouse, an associate professor of English, shared her experience with integrating AI into her classroom during one of the first Gabelli Center workshops. Initially considering a ban on using artificial intelligence in her classes, she instead teaches her students about the utility of working with AI tools.

“I first became interested in exploring AI in my courses when I realized what the new generative AI models could do and that it was going to completely upend the way I teach writing,” she explained. “Initially, I thought about banning AI outright on my syllabus and including it with my plagiarism policy. However, I didn’t think that would be the most effective way of dealing with the situation, both because I thought it would be ineffective and also because I thought it was ignoring the larger issues.”

Thought Leadership

Fostering faculty development and innovation

The Gabelli Center’s commitment to faculty development is further demonstrated through the sponsorship of annual Presidential and Provost Fellowships. These fellowships will help to fund research and pedagogical innovation, supporting faculty as they explore new methodologies of teaching and then share their findings with the wider community.

Dr. Tricia Mulligan, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, emphasized the importance such an approach.

“A prime motivation for the founding of the Gabelli Center is the belief that through faculty-led innovation, Iona can become both a catalyst for educational progress and a thought leader as we reaffirm our commitment to the success of our students,” she said.

The Gabelli Center also regularly hosts workshops, training seminars and has launched a new speaker series, drawing on Iona’s internal talent and external resources to advance its mission.

During a recent demonstration of an AI tool called Petal, for instance, Iona librarian Darcy Kaye explained how the program analyzes dozens if not hundreds of academic papers in minutes to aid students and researchers. Organizing the findings into charts or written reports, the tool was not only impressive, but potentially revolutionary for those who learned how to harness its power.

Through the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, and its launch focus on AI, Iona looks forward to providing access to as many resources as possible for faculty to engage and experiment with as they pursue their good work—and to learn from one another as they do so,” said James Mustich, senior advisor to the president.

A highlight of the initiative is Carey’s new Presidential Speaker Series, which is attracting world-renowned speakers with a focus on AI. The aim is to engage the Iona community and beyond in transformative conversations around the impact of AI on education, ethics, the evolving realities of the workforce and so much more.

The Human Element

Creating spaces that are alive

Throughout the academic year, GCTL will sponsor workshops, seminars and speaker series.

While emphasizing the need for technological advancement, Iona also recognizes the irreplaceable value of human relationships—
especially in education.

All of this connects back to Carey’s vision of creating spaces that are alive with human energy and foster vibrant interaction.

From the transformation of the New Rochelle campus, notably with the new Murphy Green and renovations of the LaPenta Student Union and dining hall now underway, to the acquisition of the Bronxville campus and the building of the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, Carey’s creative scope aims to uplift and inspire through physical spaces.

“Even as we focus on digital technologies and peer into the proliferating screens that deliver them, we will continue to embrace—and prioritize—the traditional bulwarks of teaching and learning: human relationships and face-to-face exchanges,” Carey said. “During my five years as president, I have focused on creating spaces that are alive with energy and inspire human connection in the pursuit of wisdom. The Gabelli Center will have a deep, transformative impact on our students as well as the University for generations to come.”