Morgan State Faculty Contribute to Global Conversations on AI and First-Generation Student Success at STAR Global Futures Forum

On February 16, 2026, the STAR (Society of Transnational Academic Researchers) Scholars Network organized the STAR Global Futures Forum on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the founding of the STAR Scholars Network. The event took place at Arizona State University’s Washington, DC campus, bringing together international higher education leaders, higher education administrators including several university presidents, researchers, and policymakers to discuss artificial intelligence in higher education, equity, and strategies for supporting first-generation college students.

Faculty from Morgan State University’s Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy (DASLP) played key roles in the event, which convened scholars and institutional leaders committed to advancing innovation and equity across global higher education systems.

The STAR Scholars Network is an international consortium of academic researchers and university leaders focused on strengthening global collaboration in higher education research and policy. The 2026 forum marked the organization’s eighth anniversary and highlighted new initiatives designed to guide universities through emerging challenges related to technology, student access, and educational equity.

Dr. Uttam Gaulee, President of the STAR Scholars Network and Professor in the Community College Leadership Program at Morgan State University, delivered opening remarks that addressed current opportunities and barriers within the higher education landscape. His remarks emphasized the importance of maintaining ethical standards as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into teaching, research, and institutional decision-making.

"Today, as [the STAR Scholars Network] launch the Global AI Guidelines for Higher Education, we send a clear message: technology must serve humanity, not overshadow it. Innovation must be guided by conscience." ~Dr. Uttam Gaulee, President, STAR Scholars Network

During the forum, the network unveiled the STAR Global AI Guidelines for Higher Education, a research-informed framework designed to support ethical and responsible uses of artificial intelligence in universities. The guidelines emphasize the importance of ensuring that technological innovation serves human development and educational equity rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

A second major focus  of the event was improving outcomes for first-generation college students, which was led by Dr. Krishna Bista, who serves as the senior vice president at the STAR Scholars Network. The forum featured the launch of the First in the Family book series, developed through a collaboration between the STAR Scholars Network and the Lumina Foundation, an organization dedicated to expanding equitable opportunities for students pursuing education after high school. The series begins with the book First in the Family, published in January 2026, which combines personal narratives, research insights, and educational theory to highlight the barriers and opportunities experienced by first-generation students.

The forum concluded with a reception recognizing leaders whose work has strengthened higher education and the public good. Dr. Benjamin Welsh, Associate Professor in the Comparative and International Education PhD program at Morgan State University, was recognized for his role as a senior adviser and mentor guiding colleagues and students, and his numerous contributions, including as an editor of the Journal of Underrepresented and Minority Progress. Dr. Welsh was named among the recipients of the 2026 STAR Luminary distinction, honoring individuals whose leadership and scholarship have made significant contributions to the field.

Participation in the STAR Global Futures Forum reflects the broader mission of DASLP to support equity-oriented teaching, research, and leadership while preparing graduate students and professionals to address complex challenges facing education systems today.