AACC believes AI skilling is critical for individuals, communities, and employers across the United States. It is in demand both as a stand-alone academic discipline and relevant across every academic cluster as AI applications are deployed across all sectors. With funding from Microsoft, AACC is hosting webinars for all community colleges and leading a Community of Practice to accelerate AI adoption.
Webinars
These webinars are available to all AACC member colleges interested in improving their institution’s application of AI.
Past Webinars
President’s Perspective: AI Skilling for Staff and Faculty Webinar
January 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern.
Watch this webinar now.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) members should join this webinar to hear from community college leaders who are “going all in” on AI skilling for staff and faculty. Hear about the effects of embracing this technology have had on productivity, and culture at different campuses from around the country.
Moderator: Dr. Meghan Gibbons, Special Advisor to the President/CEO and Chief Storyteller, AACC
Voices from the field: Dr. Dennis Rittle, President, Northwest Arkansas Community College and Dr. Joe Schaffer, President, Laramie County Community College
AI Skills for All Webinar: The AI Ready Campus
Watch this webinar now.
Summary: What makes for an AI ready campus? Join this conversation about how colleges are deploying AI tools in innovative ways for learning and administration. Experts will discuss practical considerations for gathering stakeholders, and building guard rails for thoughtful, ethical deployment of AI on campus.
Speakers:
Antonio Delgado, Vice President of Innovation and Technology Partnership at Miami Dade College
Patty Patria, Chief Information Officer, Babson College
Mark Sparvell, Director, Education Marketing, Microsoft Worldwide
Navigating AI in Higher Education: Practical Strategies for Integration and Ethical Deployment
This webinar was not recorded.
Summary: This webinar explored the discussions and ethical deployment of AI in community colleges, focusing on three key areas: student and faculty use, AI skilling for future careers, and administrative applications. It addressed practical strategies for integrating AI responsibly, discussed challenges such as academic integrity and job impacts, and highlighted the importance of critical thinking and self-reflection in an AI-driven educational landscape.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Geri Gillespy has extensive experience as an educator and leader with deep expertise in personalized learning, school improvement, and digital transformation—including the use of AI in education. She has held roles as Director of Instructional Technology, Superintendent, and adjunct professor, showcasing her dedication to advancing education and leadership. Currently, she serves as the Industry Advisor Director for Microsoft Elevate in the Americas. Dr. Gillespy is an ISTE Certified Educator, recognized as one of the top 30 K–12 IT Influencers to follow in 2025, and was honored among the Leading Women in AI Education. Her work in transformational change has also been acknowledged by the American Education Research Association.
Community of Practice
The Community of Practice initiative from AACC and Microsoft brings together workforce leaders at community colleges to collaborate and share effective strategies for integrating AI skills. Through webinars and peer learning, participants gain access to expert speakers, practical tools, and resources to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption. Best practices and success stories from this community will be shared with the broader AACC network, helping more colleges prepare students for the digital economy.