Our Goal

Best applied AI student experience. More resilient region.

AI Leaders of Tomorrow sits at the intersection of two challenges: students who need real AI experience, and regional companies who need capability to stay competitive.

The regional case

Many companies that anchor the South Bend–Elkhart economy are competing against firms with dedicated AI teams. Most cannot justify a full-time hire just to find out whether an idea works.

A fellow team can. The result of engagements is a kindling of innovation that turns into a flywheel that boosts not just the company, but also the regional workforce and economy.

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The campus case

ND students gain invaluable knowledge in the classroom; to turn that knowledge into a skill, applied experience in a non-scripted company environment is ideal.

Students in the program gain an edge over others on the job market, while also developing long-term relationships with regional executives.

See the cohort →

For faculty

Applied AI in your curriculum, not just the fellowship.

The fellowship is just one aspect of applied AI engagement with regional businesses. If you teach a course where applied project work could live, we help source the projects and provide AI training, while you mentor students within your domain.

In Spring of 2026, the Accounting department piloted AI-driven accounting within the Master's in Accounting program. Following positive student and company feedback, the department chair has decided to expand the program with regular participation in applied AI projects.

Talk to us about a course →

These types of applied AI experiences differentiate our program… it’s a skill set they cannot get anywhere else.

Brad Badertscher

Accounting Department Chair

Outcomes

The program by the numbers.

40 Fellows
to date

25 AI projects completed
or underway

100% Student
satisfaction

Alumni

Where fellows go next.

Early reflections from fellows who have graduated and moved on, alongside the companies that hired them.

Joe Kolar

Class of 2026

AI Leaders of Tomorrow program has helped me talk about real AI use cases in my interviews, but more importantly, taught me how to collaborate with it in my early career.

Melany Morales

Class of 2026

I not only worked on an applied project: the connection to leadership ended up securing me a position at the company.

Kristiana (Kiki) Petrovic

Class of 2028

Stepping outside my finance major to work in unfamiliar industries, develop hands-on AI and data skills, and engage with executives gave me experiences that set me apart from other students recruiting and ultimately helped me earn my McKinsey offer.

Team