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At the pace Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, it’s hard not to get swept up. But for Dr. John Ortega, faculty member at ���ҹ�����’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, AI is more than just technology—it’s a tool for empowerment. His work in Natural Language Processing (NLP) spans a wide array of disciplines across language translation, healthcare, and analysis for legal documentation. It’s through these applications of NLP and more that Ortega aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world impact.

“I try to connect student and class passion with the latest technologies,” Ortega explains. “Learning Java or operating system coding can be quite boring unless you understand where it’s used and how it can help you get a job.”

Educating the next generation of AI innovators

Ortega came to ���ҹ����� excited to share his technical expertise. But there’s a lot more to it than that. For Ortega, teaching at ���ҹ����� is also about mentorship, opportunity, and access. As a first-generation college graduate, he recognizes the struggles that many students face, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

“I wanted to teach students who have gone through similar struggles as myself,” Ortega says. “Many of my students come from first-generation immigrant homes, often speaking Spanish or another language at home.”

Understanding that being market-ready is a big concern for new graduates, Ortega designs his courses to go beyond theory and technical proficiency to incorporate real-world application. This blend of theory and practice is a cornerstone of education at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

“My classes are multi-purpose,” he explains. “We work toward proficiency in programming and AI, but also in understanding how classroom work translates to final products in the industry.”

Predicting the future of AI and NLP

It can sometimes feel like AI is progressing so rapidly it’s hard to keep up. But for those deeply embedded in the field, it’s possible to not only stay current with all of the recent developments but to envision the future.

Ortega is no different, and he has some thoughts on where AI is going in the next five years.

“Automation of the techniques that were already in place but not used much—that’s where we’re going,” he predicts. “This is already happening in the private sector. You name it, it’s there.”

One of Ortega’s current projects provides an example. Working with a team of students, Ortega is using large language models (LLMs) to increase topic discovery in legal documents. Through the systems Ortega and his team are building, the LLM combs sets of documents searching for segments of text that are semantically similar, resulting in a more efficient way of parsing multiple, complex documents for mentions of the same or similar topics.

Preparing students for future success

Above all, Ortega is focused on setting his students up to succeed in their lives and careers through a direct approach. “I am pragmatic and try not to waste time on things that won’t benefit students in the long run,” he says.

He also hopes students will consider the future job market when making decisions about their area of study.

“Students should imagine their ideal job without limiting themselves,” he advises. “It would be ideal to study current jobs and try to find out what their ideal job would be four years from now. And that job might not even exist yet.”

With a professor like Ortega, students are in no short supply of forward-thinking approaches to the opportunities of the future. And there’s much more to come. With a vision of ���ҹ�����’s growth in the research and doctoral student development space, Ortega plans to impact many more early-career technologists.

“���ҹ����� has a lot of talented students and professors willing to go the extra mile,” he says. “I’m looking forward to collaborating more with other schools in research and using AI to solve more problems in the NLP community.”

Learn more about artificial intelligence at ���ҹ�����'s Seidenberg School.

The Business of Love: Valentine's Day and Consumer Trends

Valentine's Day has evolved into a significant , with projected expenditures reaching . The enduring popularity of traditional gifts—48% of consumers purchasing greeting cards and 27% opting for flowers—underscores the holiday's deep-rooted commercial influence. While many embrace these customs, a growing segment , favoring alternative expressions of affection or anti-consumption approaches. Ultimately, Valentine's Day serves as a lens through which to examine the intersection of tradition, commerce, and shifting consumer behaviors.

They Met at the Snack Bar…

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Vincent Barrella and Barbara Gugliemelli’s love story began on ���ҹ�����’s New York City Campus in early 1973. The two met through mutual friends at the Snack Bar, a popular hangout for full-time students, and connected at a party hosted by Barbara and her friends in what is now Maria’s tower on February 3, 1973. Vincent still wonders if the invitation was because he owned a car and had to pass her parents’ house on the way in to ���ҹ����� and was able to pick up the food for the party. Regardless, they both consider that night their first date and have celebrated it in the city every year since. A week later, their first official date took them to a double feature at the Walker Theater in Brooklyn, watching Night of the Living Dead and Play Misty for Me.

Vincent graduated from Lubin in June 1973 with a BBA in Public Accounting, while Barbara earned her associate’s degree in Secretarial Studies that same year.Despite their different paths, their love grew stronger, and by November 1973, they were engaged. Barbara continued her studies at ���ҹ�����, completing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1975. The couple married on June 21, 1975, surrounded by friends from their ���ҹ����� days.

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Barbara’s professional journey brought her back to ���ҹ����� as an administrative assistant to Ruth Ferguson, chair of the Elementary Education Department. After earning her master’s degree from Fordham University, she later taught reading in ���ҹ�����’s Challenge to Achieve at ���ҹ����� (CAP) program. After her time with the CAP program, Barbara went on to Brookdale Community College where she is a full professor in the Reading Department and has served as chair of that department. Vincent began teaching business law at ���ҹ����� and eventually became a full-time faculty member in the Tax Department, now known as Legal Studies and Taxation within the Lubin School of Business. The Barrella family grew with the births of their three children—Melissa, Michael, and Richard—all of whom went on to earn degrees from ���ҹ�����.

Today, Vincent serves as chair of the Legal Studies and Taxation Department. Both he and Barbara remain actively involved with the ���ҹ����� community. They are now proud grandparents who cherish time with their grandchildren and enjoy traveling, from European adventures to Disney trips. As they approach their 50^th wedding anniversary, Vincent and Barbara’s journey reflects the spirit of ���ҹ�����’s Go-Getters—committed, ambitious, and always moving forward.

Suneel Sajnani '85, '92 and Calli Planakis-Sajnani '88

A Dual MBA Love Story

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Meet and , who have been married for almost four decades. They first met in 1983 in the Birnbaum Library on the New York City Campus while both were studying for their MBAs. Calli, a first-generation college student, earned her dual MBA in international business/finance from ���ҹ�����, then later went on to earn an MS in journalism, as well as a PhD in public policy and administration. Her distinguished career in public policy/public health is a credit to her determination and drive to make a difference in the world.

Suneel, once an international student at ���ҹ�����, is currently senior managing director, head of Infrastructure and Cloud Services at Cetera Financial Group. He earned both MBA and MS degrees from ���ҹ�����, specializing in information systems and computer science. He is a seasoned technology executive and a member of ���ҹ�����'s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information System's Advisory Board.

Suneel and Calli's daughter, Ariana Sajnani, is an MFA graduate of ���ҹ����� program. She is a highly accomplished actor, producer, dancer, singer, and musician, whose career includes theatre, film, and voice-over credentials. Her production company, , recently produced Sir Madam Sarpanch, an award-winning satirical film which celebrates the resilience of an intergenerational group of women working together within their social circles to fight corruption.

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After earning their MBAs, Suneel and Calli went on to careers in banking, insurance, and public health. Suneel reflects upon the times when they were just MBA candidates studying in the library: "Our classmates and friends included students from around the world representing many countries. We had the opportunity to witness a diversity the likes of which we had never experienced in any other academic setting. Calli and I have achieved much professional success from the theoretical and practical knowledge we gained from our ���ҹ����� education. What makes this success sweeter is that we found each other at the same time."

Albert Hogan '58 and Betty Stutzman '59

The Phone Number Was Wrong, But the Lady Was Right

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In 1955, Albert Hogan '58 and Betty Stutzman '59 were two accounting majors navigating their classes at ���ҹ�����'s Lubin School of Business. But as fate would have it, a simple petition—and a bit of humor—set the foundation for a lifetime together.

Betty, who was running for president of the Freshman Student Council, was making the rounds, collecting signatures to support her campaign. When she approached Albert, he signed using the name "Ben Hogan," a nod to the famous golfer. Betty wasn't amused. She called him out on the joke, and before long, what started as irritation turned into a genuine conversation.

From then on, they began meeting before their accounting classes, getting to know one another in quiet moments between lectures. When Betty gave Albert her phone number, another humorous hiccup ensued. After several calls where a man informed him, "Betty's not here," Albert finally reached her—or so he thought. This Betty turned out to be someone entirely different, and Albert found himself apologizing to both her and her husband. Later, Betty gave Albert the correct number.

Life soon threw challenges their way. Albert went on to serve in the Army at Fort Dix (New Jersey), while Betty spent summers with her family in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. But they stayed in touch over the years. By the time they married at City Hall in New York City, across from ���ҹ�����'s Civic Center building in 1962, their bond had only grown stronger.

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The couple started their married life in an apartment in Elizabeth, New Jersey, eventually settling in Cranford in 1964, where they raised two children who, fittingly, both went on to attend ���ҹ�����'s Lubin School of Business. From train rides and ferry commutes to long hours of study, Al and Betty built a life rooted in shared values and experiences.

Today, Albert and Betty's story is a reminder of how the simplest moments—a name on a petition, a phone call, or a shared class—can spark something extraordinary. It's a story of humor, resilience, and partnership, all beginning in the halls of ���ҹ�����.

Riya Golani '25 and Parth Soni '25

A Journey of Love and Ambition

Riya and Parth's journey from India to the U.S. is a testament to partnership and ambition. Together for eight years, they navigated their master's studies and professional paths side by side, including their work at the Lubin School of Business Office of Communications and External Relations—a true story of love and shared aspirations. Both are Seidenberg students who met while youngsters in India. They decided to attend college in the U.S. and chose ���ҹ�����! Riya and Parth continue a long tradition of Lubin and Seidenberg sharing the student talent pool to place graduate assistants, interns, research assistants, and student aides in various roles at both schools.