University of Bridgeport and the Ernest C. Trefz School of Business are proud to announce that Dr. Christopher Szpryngel, assistant professor of business, has been named the Best of Region 1 Award recipient by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Dr. Szpryngel earned this recognition following his presentation, “Classroom Engagement and Accountability in the Age of AI,” at the ACBSP Region 1 Conference in Nashua, New Hampshire, on November 7–8.
In its official notification, conference leadership praised Dr. Szpryngel’s contribution and confirmed that, as the Region 1 winner, he will represent the region by presenting his session at the ACBSP Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in June 2026.
Elevating engagement in the age of AI
Dr. Szpryngel’s award-winning session explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping student learning behaviors, classroom expectations, and professional skill development — and how business educators can respond in practical, meaningful ways.
His presentation highlighted strategies that help students remain active, responsible contributors to their education, even as AI tools become more sophisticated and widely used. These strategies include:
- Moving beyond traditional written assignments
- Designing collaborative group projects and peer-learning experiences
- Leveraging both synchronous and asynchronous engagement models
- Building professional presentation, communication, and teamwork skills
By keeping the human elements — communication, collaboration, and creativity — at the center of course design, Dr. Szpryngel’s work helps bridge the gap between academic learning and the evolving needs of today’s employers.
Preparing students for an AI-augmented future
UB’s Ernest C. Trefz School of Business is committed to providing experiential, industry-connected learning that prepares students to thrive in an AI-augmented workplace. Dr. Szpryngel’s recognition by ACBSP underscores that commitment and highlights the innovative teaching happening in UB classrooms every day.
University of Bridgeport congratulates Dr. Szpryngel on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to his upcoming presentation at the ACBSP Annual Conference in 2026.