With the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), it is forcing us to rethink teaching and learning, as technology and technological education is going to change exponentially. With an estimated 43% of American undergraduates enrolled at a community college, this begs the question will the way we teach them about AI change in the years ahead? The answer is undoubtedly yes. But let’s dig a little deeper into this question.
Sarah Rodiguez Leads AI Readiness
Meet Sarah Rodriguez, who earned a full-ride Gates Millennium Scholarship as a 17-year-old in rural Texas. Now, Rodriguez is an associate professor of engineering education at Virginia Tech, and she was recently awarded a senior fellowship from the Microsoft AI Economy Institute.
Let’s explore a bit more about this as an example. This is an initiative of the AI for Good Lab, and it is focused on adapting to an AI-driven world. Rodriguez is one of 17 fellows worldwide and will explore how U.S. community colleges are preparing students through programs, policy, and partnerships.
Microcredentials, certificate programs, and other programming make community colleges a vital entry point for workforce development as AI reshapes careers across regions.
A long-time community college advocate and scholar, Rodriguez partnered for the past five years with Florida’s Miami Dade College, which has more than 174,000 students, to assist with expanding AI readiness. The new project builds on prior research by leveraging the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium network platform to inform AI workforce strategies and policy solutions.
As part of the second cohort, Rodriguez will receive an $82,500 seed gift for her research. Additionally, she’ll join a global group of collaborators from Nigeria, Chile, and elsewhere, who will meet in virtual sessions weekly as well as attend an in-person workshop. Rodriguez hopes the work can go beyond the theoretical to influence practice and policy.
All about Skill Building
Looking ahead, AI education will likely be less about mastering a single technology platform and more about building adaptable, lifelong learning skills. As AI technologies rapidly evolve, curricula will need to emphasize the foundational concepts surrounding data literacy, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking.
Community colleges, in particular, are poised to play a central role in this transformation. With ties to local employers and regional workforce, these institutions can implement flexible learning models, short-term certificates, and hybrid learning opportunities to enable students to reskill or upskill as AI technologies continue to reshape jobs.
Ultimately, the future of education will depend on collaboration. Efforts like those from Rodriguez underscore the importance of preparing the workforce for what comes next with AI education. The future does look very bright as we build on greater education. Now is the time to shape AI in ways that reflect shared human values.
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