Designed specifically for community college faculty, this hands-on workshop explores the robust capabilities of Microsoft Azure in the field of artificial intelligence. Participants will gain practical experience with Azure's powerful AI tools and services while preparing for the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals exam.

The workshop covers essential AI and machine learning concepts, guiding attendees through the process of building, training, and deploying models using Azure. Topics include computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and generative AI, with a focus on real-world applications.

In addition to technical skills, the workshop emphasizes strategies for integrating AI technologies into academic programs, equipping educators to bring cutting-edge tools into the classroom.

Key Features:

• AI Fundamentals Preparation - Tailored content aligned with the Azure AI Fundamentals certification.
• Machine Learning Essentials - Develop, train, and deploy ML models in Azure.
• Specialized AI Domains - Deep dives into computer vision, NLP, and generative AI.
• Hands-On Experience - Interactive labs and practical exercises.
• Educational Integration - Guidance for incorporating AI into curriculum and instruction.

Join for an engaging introduction to Arm Education, a global leader in computing education and innovation. Arm powers 99% of the world’s smartphones and plays a critical role in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and semiconductors. During this introductory session, Arm Education will highlight its range of free resources and global initiatives designed to empower educators, students, and researchers in shaping the future of computing.

What will be covered:

• A guided walkthrough of Arm's free educational resources, including the new AI Learning Pathway
• Arm involvement in the Semiconductor Education Alliance (SEA)
• The Arm Developer Labs Initiative – giving learners practical, hands-on experience with real Arm tools.
• Resources available for academic research and innovation on Arm-based platforms.

Whether you’re developing new curricula, launching research projects, or simply exploring how to make the most of Arm’s offerings, this is a great opportunity to engage directly with the Arm Education team.

AWS Academy is providing faculty and students from its member institutions with a free subscription to AWS Skill Builder, empowering them to learn foundational and specialized AI content. AWS Skill Builder offers hundreds of free digital courses tailored to roles across the technology spectrum, including immersive experiences such as AWS Cloud Quest and AWS SimuLearn, as well as test prep and vouchers for AWS Certifications like AWS AI Practitioner.

This info session, led by AWS Academy, will provide community colleges with an overview of Skill Builder and how to leverage the free 1-year subscription. Participants will receive a step-by-step guide on how to provide access to their students to over 600 digital courses, exam prep resources, and certification vouchers. The session will end with a Q&A.

Education, Certifications, and Experience: How Does the Modern Workforce Survive 

This presentation explores the zero-sum dynamic between formal education, industry certifications, and real-world experience. The presentation highlights how competing demands create falsified talent shortages and misaligned hiring practices while proposing a balanced approach to harmonize these pillars. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges of this conflict and learn strategies to foster collaboration and standardization, addressing the need for a more effective and inclusive approach to hiring.

Presenter

Paul Ruffalo is a dedicated son, uncle, husband, father, and community advocate whose professional journey reflects the same commitment he brings to his personal life. With over 25 years of experience spanning technology, cybersecurity, compliance, and auditing, Paul currently serves as the Head of Internal Audit at Collins Community Credit Union and teaches Cybersecurity and Compliance at Kirkwood Community College. His diverse background includes vCISO advisory work, podcasting, nonprofit leadership, and recognition as an award-winning Agentic AI designer.

Please register to attend.

Join for this upcoming Community of Practice session as presenters discuss the first-ever national Knowledge and Skills framework for an Associate degree in Applied AI. Developed with direct input from our Business Industry Leadership Team, this framework outlines the core competencies needed to prepare students for AI careers with a 2-year associate’s degree. 

Learn how to apply the KSA framework at your institution, align your curriculum with workforce needs, and collaborate with peers leading AI program development across the country.

You are invited  to participate in a custom series of instructor-led webinars designed to provide community college faculty and staff with a practical introduction to Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot. The two training sessions cover effective prompting, ethical AI use, and real-world applications for educators and administrators. Through interactive discussions and hands-on examples, participants will learn how to integrate AI tools into their workflows to enhance productivity and decision-making. 

The first training, Introduction to Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Faculty and Staff, provides an essential overview of Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot. The follow-up trainings, focused on practical strategies for incorporating AI-driven tools into daily responsibilities, are divided into focused sessions for Faculty and for Staff.

Sessions:

• Introduction to Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Faculty and Staff  (Sept 26, 1 to 2 PM EST)
• Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Faculty (Sept 30, 1 to 2 PM EST)
• Generative AI and Microsoft Copilot for Staff (Sept 30, 3 to 4 PM EST)