AI
AI Pioneer Training Program

AI Pioneer Training Program

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend—it is actively reshaping how every industry operates, solves problems, and drives efficiency. Through expert-led workshops and a hands-on capstone project, you will learn to confidently and responsibly leverage AI tools to optimize your workflows and create real, actionable solutions within your organization.

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About

AI Pioneer Training Program

Developed with Luck Companies, this seven-day hybrid program empowers professionals to confidently use AI without requiring a technical background. During hands-on sessions, participants will learn to evaluate AI tools, address ethical considerations, and design practical AI-driven workflows. For the final capstone, participants will develop and present a ready-to-use AI prototype for their workplace.

A limited number of seats are available for this intensive program, including only 15 spots open to the general public. Led by VCU expert facilitators, the curriculum combines interactive workshops and online reflection to ensure immediate, actionable workplace impact.

Participants that successfully complete this program will earn an AI Pioneer digital badge issued by VCU.

Upcoming Opportunities

Instructors

Mariah Crilley, Ph.D.

Mariah Crilley, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs

Mariah Crilley serves as Assistant Vice Provost for University Interdisciplinary Programs, working across disciplines to create curriculum on artificial intelligence, virtual reality, mental health, neuroscience, etc. She also oversees academic programs in innovation and interdisciplinary studies. Her research background is in early American literature, the history of disease, and environmental studies

Kostadin Damevski, Ph.D.

Kostadin Damevski, Ph.D., Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Computer Science; Co-Director, Software Engineering Center

Kostadin Damevski is Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Computer Science at the VCU College of Engineering, and Co-Director of the Software Engineering Center at VCU. He builds machine learning and AI systems that study and support how software developers communicate, reason about code, and handle security. His group's current work spans three areas: (1) developer and human–AI conversations, including detecting derailment and emotion in pull requests, issue threads, and pair-programming sessions; (2) security of AI-assisted software engineering, including vulnerability data curation, agentic exploit modeling, and the security behavior of LLM coding assistants; and (3) fine-grained, changeset-centric software analytics for bug localization, defect prediction, and risk assessment of AI-generated code.

Damevski was named a VCU Nationally and Internationally Recognized Scholar (NIRA) in 2025. His research has been supported by NSF, DARPA, DOE, DHS, and industry partners including Google and ABB. He serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Software, and is Co-General Chair of SANER 2027, which his group is hosting in Richmond.

James Fritz, Ph.D.

James Fritz, Ph.D., Associate Professor, VCU Department of Philosophy

James Fritz is a Term Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from The Ohio State University and his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Fritz’s research explores topics in ethics, epistemology, and the philosophy of emotion, with recent work focusing on the ethics of artificial intelligence. A dedicated educator, he teaches a wide range of philosophy courses and is the founder of two philosophy summer camps for high school students, including VCU’s Summer Camp in Philosophy.

Benjamin Marlin, Ph.D.

Benjamin Marlin, Ph.D., Instructor

Dr. Ben Marlin is an Instructor in the Department of Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University. His background is primarily in data analytics and operations research for the Department of Defense. Ben earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University with a concentration in Operations Research. Ben has conducted analysis in the fields of procurement, manpower modeling, and supply chain modeling and forecasting.

Elaine Reeder, Ph.D.

Elaine Reeder, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Provost of Learning Experience Design

Elaine Reeder, Ph.D., is the Assistant Vice Provost for Learning Experience Design at Virginia Commonwealth University and a recognized leader in AI-enabled innovation, digital transformation, and future-ready learning strategy. With more than 25 years of experience spanning higher education, instructional technology, design, and organizational leadership, she specializes in helping organizations navigate emerging technologies while keeping people, creativity, and meaningful learning at the center of innovation. Dr. Reeder leads multidisciplinary teams across instructional design, media production, web development, and digital learning innovation, overseeing initiatives that integrate artificial intelligence, accessibility, and modern learning practices into large-scale institutional strategy.

A member of a newly formed Commonwealth AI Initiative, Dr. Reeder works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and human-centered design to help organizations prepare for rapid technological change and the evolving future of work. Known for translating complex ideas into engaging and practical conversations, she collaborates with faculty, executives, and cross-functional teams to explore how AI can enhance communication, creativity, problem-solving, and organizational transformation. Her work emphasizes ethical innovation, collaboration, and the development of adaptable learning cultures that support long-term growth and future readiness.

Joshua Smith, Ph.D.

Joshua Smith, Ph.D, Professor, Interim Associate Director, Special Assistant to the Dean, CHS Affiliate Faculty, Dept. of Sociology, Founder, Chair

Joshua J. Smith, Ph.D. is an award-winning faculty member and Assistant Professor of Public Relations at the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication, where he currently serves as Interim Associate Director. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in public relations, mass communication, media, and artificial intelligence, with expertise in writing, strategy, media relations, and visual communication.

Dr. Smith previously served as Dean’s Fellow for Badges, Internships, and Experiential Learning, and as Sequence Coordinator in Public Relations, where he oversaw scheduling and adjunct faculty. He is currently Special Assistant to the Dean for Innovative Learning and AI Initiatives and is the founder of the Media + AI Initiative at VCU, an interdisciplinary effort advancing media and AI literacy across academic and professional contexts. His leadership in pedagogy has been recognized with the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award, alongside numerous national awards for collaborative industry work.

With more than a decade of full-time experience in nonprofit, healthcare, and business communication and leadership, he continues to consult nationwide on award-winning campaigns that bridge professional practice and academic insight.

Dr. Smith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mass communication with a focus on strategic public relations and completed a Ph.D. in Media, Art, and Text. His research explores media psychology, technology’s role in decision making, and the ethical dimensions of communication in digital environments.

He has contributed extensively to curriculum development at the school, college, and university levels, leading program overhauls, creating new courses, and strengthening the undergraduate Public Relations and graduate Integrated Communication programs. His academic work spans ethics, healthcare communication, media literacy, media psychology, and digital media tools.

Tim York, Ph.D.

Tim York, Ph.D., Professor, Director of the VCU Data Science Lab

Dr. Tim York is a Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and Director of the VCU Data Science Lab. His research integrates machine learning, quantitative genetics, and multi-omic data for the prediction of complex human traits and health outcomes, with a focus on genomics, epigenomics, and translational applications, including preterm birth. As an educator, he has played a central role in developing graduate training in data science, including the creation of core coursework that bridges data science and biomedicine.