Stephen McConnell

Dr. Stephen J. McConnell is an award-winning teacher and AI researcher who co-developed the university’s certificate in Communications and AI. He has delivered keynotes on AI and communication and participated in panel discussions at major academic conferences across the U.S. With a background as a journalist and marketing company owner, Stephen combines his professional experience with his AI research, focusing on how to empower technology for learning and skill development. He earned a Ph.D. in Public Communication and Technology from Colorado State University, where he started teaching in 2017. In 2024, he received NYU's Teaching Excellence Award. An NYU SPS alum, he holds an M.S. in Professional Writing from NYU and a B.S. in English from Radford University (2005).