Community Colleges Advance AI Skills Through Regional Symposium

June 11, 2026

The five Capital Region community colleges—SUNY Adirondack, Columbia-Greene Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Schenectady County Community College—brought together faculty, administrators, instructional designers, and K-12 partners for the Capital Region Community College AI Symposium on Thursday, June 4. Hosted by Hudson Valley Community College, the inaugural day-long event was held in the college’s Bulmer Telecommunications Center.

The symposium focused on the responsible and practical use of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning and workforce preparation. It provided participants with an opportunity to examine emerging technologies, engage in thoughtful discussions and explore the opportunities and challenges presented by one of the most transformative developments in education in a generation.

The program featured two rounds of breakout sessions and a keynote address by Kim Scalzo, senior associate provost for digital innovation and academic services at the State University of New York.

Breakout sessions explored a wide range of topics related to AI’s growing influence on education, including defining AI literacy across disciplines, redesigning courses for an AI-enabled future, and aligning expectations among high schools, dual enrollment programs, and colleges. Additional discussions examined assessment and academic integrity, critical perspectives on AI in the classroom, and the importance of transparency, ethics, values, and bias awareness in AI tools.

“We were delighted to host the Capital Region Community College AI Symposium,” said Tyler Kessel, dean of Business and Liberal Arts and chair of the college’s AI Council. “Community colleges have always been at the forefront of adapting to change in ways that directly benefit students and the communities we serve. This event reflected our commitment to ensuring that we lead with both innovation and intention.”

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how people learn, teach, and work, the symposium fostered meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning among educators and partners across the region. The event underscored the vital role community colleges play in preparing students and the workforce to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.