Artificial intelligence is reshaping the modern workplace at a staggering pace, and higher education is no exception. As these technologies accelerate across nearly every industry, the need has never been greater for leaders who understand how to use them wisely, innovate effectively, and navigate their ethical implications with discernment.
While new additions on Colorado Christian University’s campus — such as the Quarry Innovation Lab — are shaping tomorrow’s tech leaders in the College of Undergraduate Studies, CCU’s College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS) is also emerging as a leader in this rapidly evolving field. That leadership is especially evident in the programs preparing students to enter technology-driven professions.
Few understand this shift better than Bren Triplett, director of CCU Online’s Co Information Technology, Information Systems Management, and Project Management programs in the School of Business and Technology. Over the past two years, Triplett has not only extensively studied AI, he has used it, applied it, and integrated it directly into CCU Online’s curriculum. His work is positioning CCU at the forefront of innovation within Christian higher education while also helping students stay grounded in what remains real and true in the age of artificial intelligence.
New Skills for New Technology
One of CCU’s distinctive strengths is its expansive virtual environment within CCU Online. The platform includes more than 127 applications available to students throughout their courses. Staying fluent in these swiftly emerging tech tools has become a top priority across the University — especially within the School of Business and Technology, where graduates will be not only using the latest technologies but also influencing and shaping the AI landscape.
A central goal in adult and graduate programs is teaching students how to collaborate with AI tools rather than fear, avoid, or compete with them. In project management courses, for example, students learn to effectively create and utilize strategic prompts that generate full project plans, task lists, or schedules. They then analyze, refine, and apply those results, learning to manage workflows increasingly shaped by AI-generated outputs.
Programming courses are evolving as well, shifting focus away from building code from scratch and more toward analyzing and evaluating the quality and reliability of AI-generated code. With AI tools now capable of generating fully functional code in real-time, Triplett sees the role of future software developers shifting toward reviewing, debugging, improving accuracy, and enhancing AI-generated work.
That shift is already visible in the rise of “no-code” platforms, which build entire applications from a single prompt. “You simply tell the program, ‘I want my application to do this specific task,” Triplett explained. “You type in the prompt, and it does all the coding for you.”
While these tools make development more accessible, convenience does not replace foundational understanding. Students must still be able to recognize quality code, identify errors, and ensure that results align with both ethical and professional standards.
“We have to teach the foundational skills, but we have to teach them slightly differently than we have in the past,” said Triplett. “Our graduates will walk away understanding how to code and knowing the foundations of coding, but more importantly, they’ll be able to critically think and recognize good versus bad code.”
Across the School of Business and Technology, Triplett emphasizes that critical thinking, logic, and resilience are emerging as essential professional traits, now more than ever.
“Technology is really about solving problems that haven’t been solved before,” said Triplett.
"Your failure rate will be high, which is why grit matters. The ability to keep learning — that’s what makes today’s students successful."
Leading Innovation by Example
CCU faculty do more than simply teach AI concepts — they model them as well. Triplett was among ChatGPT’s early adopters, signing up within its first two weeks of public release. Since then, he has used AI extensively, including developing accessibility-compliant digital textbooks.
“I ended up writing a Python program that would do ADA compliancy,” said Triplett. “I asked ChatGPT to create the whole thing, and it ran absolutely perfect! It goes through and makes all the modifications, highlighting the changes in the textbook document.”
As rapidly shifting technology now impacts nearly every industry, staying current is essential. Faculty in the School of Business and Technology use the same tools they teach, experimenting with, troubleshooting, and adapting technologies — often at the same pace as students. This approach creates virtual classroom environments where learning mirrors industry realities.
“To me, effort and the ability to find the answer are much better skills to have than whether you’re an incredible programmer right out of the box,” said Triplett.
Keep Moving Forward
As excitement continues to build across the University for the possibilities that will help transform learning and professional excellence for CCU’s students, Triplett and his colleagues are already developing three new AI-focused courses designed for multiple adult and graduate degree programs:
- Prompt Engineering. In this course, students will learn how to craft precise and intentional prompts that produce accurate and useful results — an increasingly essential skill for business, leadership, and technology fields.
- Building AI Agents. Moving beyond single prompts, AI “agents” automate complex, multi-step processes. Triplett explained that this new course will teach students how to build these powerful systems using whatever tools and platforms represent the latest industry standard.
- AI and Leadership. Led by CCU’s MBA Program Director, Rick Hall, this course will help students evaluate emerging technologies, align them with organizational goals, and apply ethical principles in decision-making.
These new courses are slated to begin in the 2026-27 academic year.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform and redefine professional expectations, technology alone is not enough. CCU’s School of Business and Technology remains committed to preparing graduates who lead with integrity, think critically, and adapt quickly.
“As professors, we’re constantly raising the bar so our students can keep learning,” said Triplett. “Because the world is changing fast — and we want them to be ready."
The Quarry Innovation Lab
Colorado Christian University (CCU) has officially opened and dedicated The Quarry Innovation Lab, a collaborative learning space designed to explore the intersection of faith, technology, and human creativity. The Quarry serves as a hub for education, research, student projects, and interdisciplinary partnerships grounded in emerging technology and a biblical worldview.