Center for Faculty Excellence New Faculty Member Spotlight: Meet Yang Ni

Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Faculty Excellence is pleased to introduce several new faculty members who have joined the university during the 2025-26 academic year.

Get to know more about Yang Ni, assistant professor of Computer Science!

What are you most excited about in your first year?

“Educating the younger generation and doing research with students. I’m looking forward to sharing my knowledge and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge together with my students.”

What is the best piece of advice you would like to give to PNW students?

“In the era of artificial intelligence, you should focus on mastering what makes you uniquely human — critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making. AI can automate tasks and accelerate learning, but it can’t replace the curiosity that drives innovation. Use AI as a tool, not a crutch, to expand your understanding, challenge your assumptions and amplify your abilities.”

How do you spend your free time?

“National parks in the U.S. are one of my favorite ways to spend free time. They’re a perfect reminder of how vast, beautiful and diverse this world really is.”

Why did you get into your field of study?

“I got into computer science because, ever since I was very young, computers have had this unique attraction for me. I was fascinated by how they work and how a few lines of code could transform ideas into reality. As I learned more, I became especially interested in artificial intelligence, which is now reshaping how we interact with information and solve complex problems.”