The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Conference offers relevant professional development and networking opportunities for community college faculty and staff. The event provides access to the nation’s community college leaders, who will discuss a variety of topics pertinent to educational access, leadership development, priority challenges, and navigating AI. 

The AACC Annual conference will take place April 10-14, 2026, in Seattle, Washington.  

For more information or to register, visit AACC Annual 

An article released by the American Association of Community Colleges(AACC) highlights key policy changes regarding funding for agricultural workforce training. The Food, Farm, and National Security Act was advanced by the House Agriculture Committee in early March, which controls legislation for programs run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Agriculture Improvement Act had expired in 2023, but has now been revitalized by the Farm bill. 

In the Farm Bill, competitive grants for community colleges, technical education schools, and consortia of community colleges are included, specifically for agriculture and natural resources programs. Grants will be prioritized for schools that provide work-based learning in these fields.

To read more about this exciting advancement for agricultural workforce training, visit “Washington Watch: House Farm Bill includes new community college grant program.”

Created by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the Accelerating Recovery in Community Colleges Network (ARCC) is centered on boosting nationwide postsecondary enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic. The network is currently conducting two research studies: 

1. Enrollment and Transfer Trends: Building on National Student Clearinghouse data, this research provides valuable insights into postsecondary enrollment and outcome trends.
2. Spending of Federal Recovery Funds: Relying on data from two sources within the  Department of Education, this study looks at the amount of federal recovery funds community colleges received, how much they spent, and what proportion of funds went to the institution and student needs. 

To learn more about these research studies or to dive into the ARCC’s other initiatives, visit the Community College Research page.

Mentor-Connect supports the ATE community by offering leadership development, outreach strategies, and mentorship programming for STEM faculty at two-year colleges. Additionally, Mentor-Connect assists potential grantees looking for ATE funding by providing guidance on how to apply for an NSF ATE grant. 

The upcoming webinars feature important information regarding project evaluation, necessary components for ATE proposals, budget preparation, and aligning budgets with project descriptions. More information on each webinar can be found on each event’s registration page. 

• NSF Annual and Project Outcomes Report: April 1, 3:00-4:00 PM ET 
• Preparing Forms for your NSF ATE Proposal: April 8, 3:00-4:00 PM ET
• ATE Budgets and Forms: Personnel Documents: April 29, 3:00-4:00 PM ET 
• NSF ATE Proposal Budget and Budget Justification: May 13, 3:00-4:00 PM ET

To learn more about these webinars and additional resources offered by Mentor-Connect, visit their website. 

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is hosting a webinar on February 26, 2026, to discuss the upcoming implementation of Workforce Pell Grants in community colleges. Workforce Pell Grants are a new type of financial aid, granted to students enrolled in career and technical training programs and short-term education programs. The Workforce Pell Grant is scheduled to go into effect by July 1, 2026.

In this webinar, community college officials and state leaders will be sharing lessons learned during their preparation and navigation of this transition, as well as the work they are doing as stakeholders throughout this process. There will also be a Q&A during the session. 

The webinar will begin at 1:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 26, 2026. For more information or to register, visit the event details page on AACC’s website. 

Artificial intelligence has given us the ability to complete tasks such as problem-solving, decision-making, analysis, and other types of learning through computer systems and software. The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) was established through a National Science Foundation grant in 2024, placing community colleges at the core of the nation’s strategy for developing an AI workforce. A recent article published by Forbes examines the role of community colleges in the adoption and application of artificial intelligence, emphasizing their role in preparing technicians for an AI-enabled workforce.

The Consortium was formed as a partnership among three powerful community colleges, serving students in Houston, Miami, and Tempe, with Miami Dade College beginning the process of creating an applied AI degree in 2020. Additionally, the Consortium is committed to establishing partnerships with technology companies and identifying the skills needed to ensure students are equipped to enter the workforce with AI. 

NAAIC works to address workforce requests and adapt to the changing needs of the nation, continuing to bridge the gap between industry and education by supporting educators...

The National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC) is hosting a four-part virtual AI-Assisted Teaching with GitHub: A Faculty Workshop Series on March 3, 10, 17, and 31, 2026. This free workshop series will help faculty from any discipline explore how GitHub Spark, Classroom, and Copilot can support teaching, collaboration, and curriculum development. No technical background is required.

Participants will learn foundational GitHub skills and practical AI-assisted workflows that can be applied across subject areas to enhance instructional planning and productivity. Sessions will also cover how to use these tools responsibly and creatively in the classroom, and attendees will receive a GitHub Toolbox with resources and complimentary access to GitHub Copilot and GitHub Classroom. Attendance at all four sessions is expected.

• GitHub Fundamentals: March 3, 2026 12:00–1:30 PM ET

• Getting Started with GitHub Copilot & Spark: March 10, 2026 12:00–1:30 PM ET

• Using GitHub Copilot & Spark in Education: 12:00–1:30 PM ET

• Beyond the Basics with GitHub Copilot, Spark & Classroom: March 31, 2026 12:00–1:30 PM ET

Educators interested in integrating AI-enabled tools into their...

HI-TEC (High Impact Technology Exchange Conference) is now accepting proposals for presentations at its 2026 conference, taking place July 27–30 in Austin, Texas. Supported by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) program, this annual event centers on strengthening the nation’s current and future skilled technical workforce. The conference convenes educators, industry leaders, trade organizations, and other professionals to collaboratively address emerging needs in advanced technological education and rapidly evolving technology fields. Session topics span a broad range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing.

Submission deadlines:

• Preconference Workshops and Special Interest Groups (SIGs): February 10
• Main Conference Sessions: February 27
• Poster Sessions: February 27

For additional details and proposal guidelines, visit the HI-TEC website.

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a $15 million national competition to encourage states to develop and expand Talent Marketplaces, which are digital systems designed to connect learners, workers, education providers, and employers while also making skills and credentials more visible and impactful.

Beginning in January 2026, state governors and workforce partners can compete to build or scale these platforms. Up to 10 semifinalists and finalists will receive technical support and eligibility for a share of the prize funds as they refine and implement their plans. The effort aims to broaden access to high-quality career pathways, support skills-based hiring, and strengthen labor market connections across systems.

Submissions are due April 30, 2026.

For more information and updates on the challenge, visit cto-challenge.com.

Hosted by Miami Dade College, the National Applied AI Consortium’s AI Summit will take place February 19-20, 2026, in Miami, Florida. The event will bring together educators, administrators, industry leaders, and policymakers with a shared goal of strengthening the role of community colleges in developing the national AI workforce pipeline.

Participants will hear from leading companies driving AI innovation, faculty sharing best practices in AI education, and students currently enrolled in AI programs. The summit will also offer hands-on training for those interested in teaching AI, including opportunities to earn certifications that support career advancement and program development.

To learn more or to register for the event, visit the National Applied AI Consortium's website.