Ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, the faculty members of 91�Թ� gathered to participate in the annual faculty workshop. This year, the focus of discussion was on assessment in the age of AI.

The decision to address this topic during the annual workshop follows the creation of the University Statement on AI, which was added to the 91�Թ� Student Handbook in 2024. With the University’s theological and pedagogical understanding of generative AI and its limits in view, the faculty directed its focus to how AI technology prompts changes in student assessment inside and outside the classroom.

The two-day workshop began with a devotional by Dr. Bryan Murawski, associate professor in the School of Divinity. This devotional was followed by two sessions, the first of which was theological considerations of new technologies hosted by Dr. Keith Plummer, dean of the School of Divinity. He presented data showing that the current generation is increasingly relying on generative AI for growing number of tasks, even as a form of companionship. 

The second session was led by Professor Charlotte Gleason, who is the chair of the humanities department in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She titled her presentation, “Thinking Differently: Practical Pedagogy in the Age of AI.” She presented better methods for student assessment, including multi-step project submissions, feedback loops from peers and the professor, and student self-reflection on the learning process—all of which deepen student learning in ways that are less tempting and more difficult to use AI for shortcuts. This presentation was followed by a seminar, which gave faculty the opportunity to workshop an assessment to deepen student learning and become more AI-resistant. 

On the second day of the workshop, Provost Adam Porcella discussed the difference between transactional and transformative learning in his presentation, titled “Discipleship in the Era of AI.” As a fitting conclusion to the workshop, the faculty joined the staff for the Fall 2025 Prayer Service—an intentional employee gathering of Scripture reading, prayer, and singing that has been held before the start of each semester since 2005. 

“As emerging AI technologies continue to reshape the world of education, we are intentional in how we engage them,” said Dr. Adam J. Porcella, senior vice president and provost. “We will leverage their benefits where appropriate, but never at the expense of the relational, formational, and distinctly human dimensions of teaching and learning. Our priority is to ensure that technology serves the mission of Christian higher education, not the other way around. 91�Թ� is committed to being a place where humans teach humans.”

Affordable Degree Guide provides tuition comparisons, financial aid insights, and curated degree rankings to help students find cost-effective, credible educational pathways. 91�Թ�’s top ranking in the state of PA is a testament to our commitment to affordability. 

“91�Թ� has a mission to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world, and making that education affordable is one of our chief commitments as an institution,” said Tom Sherf, vice president of marketing and enrollment. “To know that we are a top-ranking school as well as leading the charge of affordable Christian online education in Pennsylvania is very encouraging. We will continue to pursue new ways to make our distinctly biblical education affordable without sacrificing the quality of our academics or compromising on our mission.”

To learn more about 91�Թ�’s affordable and biblical online education, visit cairn.edu/online. You can also . 

From March 1 through March 29, the Connie A. Eastburn Gallery featured artist Dr. Michelle Choy Sun. Dr. Sun earned her Bachelor of Arts from University of Hong Kong. She then earned her Master of Education, Master of Arts, and her Doctor of Education from Columbia University. She has a myriad of accomplishments, including taking part in the Fukuoka International Seminar, the Freeman Foundation Scholarship, as well as being a participant of the Masterpieces Project at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 2013–2014.��

Her main exhibition, Covid Chronicle: Cells, Chips, and Light features stunning two-dimensional and three- dimensional works of art that examined the implications of the Covid crisis. The impacts of such an event are still being discovered and discussed today, and Dr. Sun’s art hopes to explore those discussions. Inspiration for her artwork comes from experiences and themes that ask, “What is our deepest reflection going through isolation, depression and suffering, sacrifice, resilience and hope? Incidentally, these are the four sub-themes of Covid Chronicle.” As her audience investigates each piece, Dr. Sun hopes to set in motion thoughtful and biblical reflections, asking the individual to respond to the question: “As this virus is likely to become part of our life, what buoyant intellectual and spiritual strengths can we build to prepare for future pandemics?” While the pandemic may be over, serious consideration to Dr. Sun’s questions about it help her audience think deeply and critically, informing us on how to respond to the next crisis.

Covid Chronicle: Cells, Chips, and Light and several of Dr. Sun’s other art exhibits will be on display until March 29, 2024.

91�Թ� is excited to bring Dr. Liesl Lawrence on as the newest faculty member in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lawrence will serve as a full-time biology professor. She has earned her BS in Biological Science from The Master’s University as well as her PhD in integrated Biomedical Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her accolades include the Rennels Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies as well as the George Franklin Howe Award. Her ability to integrate biology with a robust, articulate, and thorough inclusion of a biblical worldview will be a valuable asset to the program. 

Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Aneesh Khushman, says of the onboarding of Dr. Lawrence: 

“Dr. Lawrence is a scholar in her field. But more than that, she demonstrates the critical ability to express and teach biology from a biblical worldview. For 91�Թ�, it’s a win-win. I look forward to her coming to 91�Թ� and helping us continue to grow an already growing program.”

You can learn more about Dr. Lawrence .

Welcome, Dr. Lawrence!

While Yisheng’s main area of interest was pre-med, his love for chemistry blossomed as he studied under his numerous science professors. His interest in organic chemistry and biochemistry has given him the ultimate desire to pursue doctoral-level research in chemistry instead of biology, with a goal to “synthesize novel molecules or therapeutic agents that inhibit genetic disease or cure injury at a molecular level, construct polymers for new materials to mitigate certain environmental issues, or design new mechanisms that improve synthetic efficiency.” 

Yisheng cites the support of his professors as role models and well-suited instructors for bringing him to this major milestone: “Throughout my four years at 91�Թ�, I gained numerous insights from how my professors approached biology and chemistry with a biblical worldview. Dr. Bell showed me the strongest supportive evidence for the design argument; Dr. Eshelman introduced his theology of the human body; Professor Jensen refreshed my understanding of what science is and its relationship with Christian discipleship; and Dr. Khushman shared various biblical references in relevance to medicine. All these meaningful discussions prepared me to walk a different path in the field of science.”

Designed for students who excel in written and visual communication, 91�Թ�’s new Digital Media and Communication (BA) offers you a program with clear career objectives, opportunities, and outcomes. Your passions and interests will see growth inside and outside the classroom. 91�Թ� seeks to enrich your academic experience through various internships, allowing you to acquire the professional tools you’ll need for your future career.

But these resources and experiences aren’t all 91�Թ� has to offer to you in this program. When you come to earn your degree in Digital Media and Communication, you are studying at a holistically Christian university. Our dedication to serving Christ and studying from a biblical perspective will not happen only in your Bible classes or chapels, but will be incorporated into your whole curriculum. While we want to help prepare you for a career, we also want to prepare you to be salt and light in the fields you will serve. 

“Our current cultural context requires us to navigate the dynamic waters of the digital world. I want 91�Թ� to be at the forefront of preparing Christian communicators and providing them with the hard and soft skills they need to stay afloat.”

—Charlotte Gleason, Chair of the Humanities Department

Learn more about our digital marketing program at 91�Թ� and see for yourself what kind of educational experience we offer. 

Already know this program is right for you? Apply today at cairn.edu/apply.

This semester’s Connie A. Eastburn Gallery features the art series Invisible Thread by Laura Sallade. �������������’s work relies on several unique mediums including glass, silver, and resin. As the mediums are used, Sallade interacts with them to reveal layers, marks, and remains. Through this process, Sallade hopes to communicate “a mysterious and paradoxical understanding of the world, highlighting our transient and skewed perception of light through observation and materiality.”��

These effects, however, are not strictly planned. Sallade opts to ignore micromanaging the creative process: “Instead of planning every step of the process and resigning to a predetermined outcome, I allow the process to surprise me.” Sallade draws inspiration from artists such as John Cage, Pat Steir, Jose Parla, and Sam Gilliam while also relying on conveying personal emotional memories and capturing fleeting moments from her subconscious to carry this conversation through her artwork.

�������������’s Invisible Thread series offers a unique approach to creating and defining art. While her works can be hung as paintings, they are also sculptural in their essence, balancing image and object. The outcomes featured in the gallery include “Caustic Capsule III,” “Dark Water 01,” “Urban Chaos 01,” and several others. Ultimately, her goal with them is to create pieces that offer a space to think critically, pay attention, and reflect. 
Invisible Thread will be on display through March 3. For more information on Sallade and her work, visit cairn.edu/arts.

With the ever-increasing need for individuals adept at communicating effectively in digital spaces, understanding the importance of effective writing and visual design is crucial. In light of this need, 91�Թ� is excited to introduce a Digital Media and Communication (BA) program. 

Over the past several years, 91�Թ� has seen the growth of the visual arts department and the job opportunities our English (BA) students receive after graduating. The Digital Media and Communication program is intended to merge the main features of these two disciplines, creating a career-oriented program.

Through the incorporation of new courses including Writing for Social Media and the Web, Digital Storytelling, Communication and Culture, and many others, students will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for a wide range of careers and opportunities that are available in digital spaces. Throughout these courses, students will complete certifications in and through industry-standard tools such as or  

As part of their curriculum, students also have the opportunity to complete internships with both Christian and secular organizations in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, giving them hands-on learning opportunities and experience for their resumes. And with projecting an increase in demand for this work resulting in about 68,000 new jobs, 91�Թ� graduates will be entering a career field that is ready to hire.

The Digital Media and Communication program will also offer students a choice of content emphasis within the program. Students can choose to fine-tune their interests by taking courses for Mass Media and Communication, Visual Design and Communication, Sports Media and Communication, or Marketing and Communication. All of these educational offerings and professional opportunities are offered in tandem with the University’s distinct biblical integration, ensuring that these students will not only be prepared for the workforce but will be able to view their career in light of Christ and His Word and work with excellence and integrity.

“Our qualified and talented faculty have spent a long time pouring their passion into the development for this program, said Dr. Aneesh Khushman, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “The Digital Media and Communication major is an opportunity for Christians to train themselves and involve themselves in a field where representation is suboptimal. The time is right for Digital Media and Communication at 91�Թ�.”

The University is actively recruiting students for the Fall 2023 class of this new program. To learn more, visit cairn.edu/programs/digital-media. Students can also apply directly at cairn.edu/apply.

91�Թ� graduate Jesse Rivera, who graduated from the Pre-Med program with his BS in Biology in August 2022, is the first 91�Թ� graduate to be accepted into a Physician Assistant (PA) program. 

Jesse was first introduced to the PA program during his freshman year, when a representative from visited his biology class. After four years of classroom instruction and lab experience that met the program’s prerequisites, Jesse applied to PCOM after graduation and recently heard of his acceptance into his program of choice.

Currently, Jesse is enrolled in the University’s MS in Organizational Development program while he completes his final year of eligibility on the men’s basketball team. He will begin PCOM’s 26-month program in Summer 2023. Upon completion of the program, Jesse will become a licensed Physician’s Assistant. He hopes to take this experience “to work in underserved communities where I can bring the biblically integrated education I have from 91�Թ� to the medical field.”��

In discussing how the Pre-Med program at 91�Թ� prepared him for this new venture, he commented, “I am very thankful for how well Dr. Khushman, Professor Jensen, Dr. Bell, and Dr. Hixson have prepared me for a future in the health field.”

Additional Note:
91�Թ� has a long-standing admissions agreement with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Up to three seats each year in PCOM’s Doctor of Pharmacy, MS in Biomedical Sciences, and MS in Forensic Medicine programs are reserved for students at 91�Թ� who meet the admission criteria for the given program. Learn more at cairn.edu/PCOM.