Barry University aims for supremacy in key education role

Barry University is betting on artificial intelligence and workforce preparation as it expands programs in areas ranging from emergency services and health care to mental health, President Mike Allen said.

One of the university’s newest initiatives is a university-wide certificate in artificial intelligence that is open to students across disciplines. The certificate covers AI fundamentals, responsible use and practical applications, with AI being incorporated into fields including nursing, teacher education, marketing, finance, social work and public administration, Dr. Allen said.

“The bottom line for us in this space is we really believe that every student, regardless of their major, should graduate prepared to use AI responsibly and effectively, not only to improve their professions but also to improve their communities,” he said.

Barry also offers an AI course for high school students through its dual-enrollment program. The course, called “AI for Good,” has become popular with high schools throughout Florida that participate in the program, Dr. Allen said.

The university has also developed an AI student success assistant called Adrian, which allows students to ask questions about financial aid, housing, registration and other matters by email or text. Dr. Allen said the assistant can receive and respond to questions in 30 languages and is available at any time.

He said Adrian is designed to provide students with quick answers and can connect them with a Barry employee when a question requires personal assistance.

Another area that has grown significantly is Barry’s Academy of Emergency Services, which prepares students for careers as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and other emergency services professionals.

The university expects to graduate more than 1,130 emergency services professionals in 2026, according to the Barry University Blog. The university said its emergency services enrollment has grown by more than 60% annually since 2023.

Barry has expanded its partnerships with high schools offering EMT programs. President Allen said the number of participating schools has grown from three to 18. The university’s blog said the program now has partnerships with more than 17 high schools in Broward County and could eventually accommodate up to 450 students.

Dr. Allen said Barry hopes to become the largest provider of emergency services professionals in Florida.

Health care also remains a major area of focus for the university. Dr. Allen said Barry plans to continue investing in its College of Health Professions and Medical Sciences as the state faces strong demand for nurses and other health care professionals.

“Our faculty, our leadership in terms of our deans, are at the top of their profession, and we know within our state, especially, there’s just a huge demand and need,” he said, “for example, for nurses and for other medical professionals. So, really, really investing in that space and investing in that pipeline to help meet those critical needs within our community is very important to us here at Barry, and we think that’s the one of the greatest contributions that we can make.”

The university launched its School of Mental Health and Social Work this past year with support from the state. The school brings together Barry’s programs in social work, counseling and school psychology under one umbrella. Barry currently describes the school as combining those areas to prepare students for careers in mental health and social work.

President Allen said the school will allow Barry to expand its role in preparing mental health professionals as the need for those services continues to grow.

“As you know,” he said, “mental health and supporting the residents of Florida from a mental health capacity is so critical to what we do. What we did at Barry is we brought together our schools of social work and counseling and psychology under one umbrella of a school of mental health, and we really see ourselves as leaders, leading educators, leading producers of professionals in that space going forward.”

Barry is also expanding its athletic programs and facilities.

The university invested more than $20 million this summer in athletic facilities and renovations, including a new fitness and recreation space for students. The investment also is supporting the addition of men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and women’s flag football, whose first seasons will take place this academic year, according to Dr. Allen.

Since 2022, Barry has doubled the number of varsity sports it sponsors, from 12 to 24. The number of student-athletes has grown from roughly 220 to nearly 600, he said.

Beyond adding programs, Dr. Allen said the university is placing more emphasis on helping students gain practical experience and find employment after graduation.

Barry saw a 40% increase this year in employer participation and engagement with the university, he said. Student engagement in internships, employment opportunities and other career-related activities has also increased.

Barry’s Career and Experiential Learning program currently promotes career readiness and hands-on experiences tied to students’ academic majors, according to the university website.

For President Allen, the effort is part of a broader conversation about the value of a college degree.

“On the programmatic side, I think the other thing that students can expect to see from Barry is a real intentionality,” he said, “even more so than we have had in the past, around seeing students get jobs. We know that there’s so much dialogue out there now related to higher education about value … for us, it’s about seeing our students get real experience while they’re here with us as students through internships and practical experience.”

The goal, Dr. Allen said, is for students to gain experience while they’re at Barry and ultimately find the jobs they came to college to pursue.

“But then,” he said, “landing that dream job of theirs – that is why they came to college in the first place.”