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Professional Development

Calendar of Events

April 27

AI Has Joined the Faculty
Presented by the Chronicle of Higher Education 
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration Required
AI reshapes how courses are designed, graded, and taught, faculty and administrators face real decisions right now about when to use it, how to disclose it, and how to set expectations across their institutions. Join us for a virtual forum to get practical guidance on using AI responsibly in your day-to-day work — from streamlining course materials to navigating the policy questions your campus is already wrestling with. With support from Kyron Learning. 

Hear It First: Early Findings from the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Degree Feasibility Study
12-1 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Join us to get a preliminary look at findings from the Irvine Valley College ZTC Degree Feasibility Study. In this webinar, we will share the preliminary data including charts, early triangulated themes, and powerful student quotes. The study is still underway, so it’s not too late to participate and colleges that distribute the survey will receive the full dataset when the study is complete.

ASCCC/ Common Course Numbering Support Office Hours 
1-2 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration Required 
A steady stream of questions around Common Course Numbering (CCN) implementation continues to arrive at the ASCCC and the Chancellor’s Office (CO). As the system and colleges continue implementation, including local course outline of record (COR) revisions for Phases, I, II, and III and articulation of commonly numbered courses, additional questions will arise. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas to these open office hours with ASCCC and CCCCO common course numbering representatives.

April 28

Understanding Family Reactions to Mental Illness
10-11 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Understanding why people experience things differently can help to ease tension & increase acceptance. Discuss the caregiving experience, the stages of emotional response, and learn how to respond and cope in this one-hour seminar with a licensed therapist.

Teaching Critical-Thinking Skills in the Age of AI
Presented by the Chronicle of Higher Education
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
Hear how colleges can more explicitly teach, better measure, and more clearly communicate the value of critical-thinking skills as AI tools, dis- and misinformation, and employer expectations raise the stakes. With support from Studiosity

Rethinking Course and Assessment Design in the AI Era 
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Examine how AI’s impacts are reshaping assessment practices and course design.

The Next Chapter in AI: Integration and Best Practices 
12-1 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Join us for a two-part webinar in our ongoing AI-focused series! This session features expert insights on applying AI in hiring and workforce development, building transparent and adaptable AI policies for teaching, and aligning AI with course design to strengthen engagement and student outcomes.

 Highlights include practical, equity-centered strategies from Jonathan Locust for using AI in hiring and workforce development; a clear, adaptable policy model from AI Fellow Suha Aljuboori that supports ethical, transparent use while preserving academic freedom; and actionable guidance from AI Fellow Scott James for integrating AI into course design to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.

April 29

Stress Reset: Science-Based Strategies for Workplace Well-Being 
8-9 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Stress is a universal human experience, but today’s world amplifies it in unique ways that previous generations did not face. Explore the science of stress with a licensed therapist and gain clarity about why we feel overwhelmed at times, and why certain situations trigger strong reactions. Learn to identify early signs of burnout and explore practical, science-backed strategies to manage stress in the moment. We’ll also cover setting healthy boundaries and developing long-term habits to support lasting well-being.

CCC/ Google AI Tools Notebook LM and Gemini 102
8-9:30 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
The Chancellor’s Office is pleased to share an update on the California Community Colleges’ Google Tools and Certifications Rollout, a systemwide initiative providing all 116 colleges with no-cost access to Google AI tools and industry-recognized credentials through a statewide Memorandum of Understanding. As part of this MOU, Google is offering no-cost, hands-on training for faculty and staff on Gemini and NotebookLM. These AI tools can help streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and transform how you work and support students.

Moving beyond the basics of Gemini, NotebookLM, and Gems. Take what you learned in your 101 session (or what you have learned on your own) and build on that to find more exciting ways these AI tools can help you
in your personal, professional, and academic endeavors.

LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor: Protect the Integrity of Online Tests
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.

AI & Pedagogy Brown Bag Office Hour with Online Education & Educational Technology Committee
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Do you have questions and/or curiosity about AI and teaching strategies, class policies, student or instructor use of AI tools, or any other topic around AI and pedagogy? Join these office hours to ask your questions, bounce your ideas off attendees, or even just simply listen to what other faculty have to share/ask. Feel free to enjoy your snack/beverage/lunch with us while you attend.

The Evolving Business Model of Higher Ed
Presented by the Chronicle of Higher Education
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
The traditional business model of higher education is under strain, forcing colleges and universities to rethink how they operate. Join a panel of campus CFOs for a candid conversation about the financial pressures reshaping higher education. With support from ZRG The Registry

Let’s Talk About Developing Journalism OER for Publication Classes
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Your journalism program likely produces a publication, but do you have the necessary curriculum and educational resources to support it? And are those resources free to students? In this conversation, we will share a list of existing journalism OER and explore what resources we may need to create that are relevant, free, and accessible. Bring your suggestions and challenges and together we can find the answers. 

Making Affordability Visible: Marketing OER and ZTC in Dual Enrollment Programs
1-2 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Dual enrollment can be a student’s first college experience. Ensuring that this significant  opportunity is clearly communicated is essential to expanding access. This webinar focuses on how colleges can highlight ZTC and OER options as a key benefit of their dual enrollment programs.

CCC/ Google Ai Tools Notebook LM and Gemini 102
1-2:30 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required 
The Chancellor’s Office is pleased to share an update on the California Community Colleges’ Google Tools and Certifications Rollout, a systemwide initiative providing all 116 colleges with no-cost access to Google AI tools and industry-recognized credentials through a statewide Memorandum of Understanding. As part of this MOU, Google is offering no-cost, hands-on training for faculty and staff on Gemini and NotebookLM. These AI tools can help streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and transform how you work and support students.

Moving beyond the basics of Gemini, NotebookLM, and Gems. Take what you learned in your 101 session (or what you have learned on your own) and build on that to find more exciting ways these AI tools can help you
in your personal, professional, and academic endeavors.

Business OER and Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
2-3 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
In this webinar, we will discuss how faculty are leveraging OER and AI to expand access, reduce costs, and support innovative teaching in business classes. We will also explore practical strategies faculty are using to integrate OER and AI tools to enhance course design, improve student engagement, and promote more equitable learning experiences.

Using Free Resources to Fill OER Gaps in Economics
2-3 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Establishing zero textbook cost sections of economics courses may require the use of resources that are freely available for student use, but may not be OER. What free resources are available to address homework systems, graphing technology, and specialized and/or real-world economics module needs? Join us to learn more.

April 30

Mathematics and OER Office Hours
10-11 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
The OERI is pleased to offer a series of math and OER office hours throughout the term. These office hours will serve as a conversational session where attendees bring in their math OER needs, requests, and questions. Attendees can also use this space to receive guidance and ask questions pertaining to MyOpenMath.

Leveraging Student Success Initiatives to Drive Gen Z Enrollment 
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Explore how student success initiatives have become the new frontline of enrollment.

Turnitin Clarity: Expanding the Horizons of Written Essays in the Age of AI
11-12 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
This webinar introduces Turnitin Clarity – a new add-on to Feedback Studio and a substantial step forward when it comes to guaranteeing academic integrity and enabling students to deliver their best, original work! With Clarity's Composition Space, instructors gain insight into the writing process of each student in detail, and the 'guardrails' of the in-built AI Assistant teach students about the ethical use of AI - as a support, not a shortcut. Join us to explore this new horizon in academic writing!

The United States-Iran War of 2026: History and an Appraisal
Presented by AHC PT faculty member, Dr. Chris Sprecher
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: C-40 (the forum)
This talk will introduce the ideas and policies that drove the United States and Iran to war in early 2026. It is meant to give a background on the conflict to interested students, staff and faculty. American foreign policy has been entangled with Iranian politics since the Second World War and has recently escalated into full-blown armed conflict. Chris will  trace the development of American involvement in Iran, the reasons for Iranian hostility, and what attempts the United States has made since 1979 to weaken the Islamic Republic. He will finish with a presentation of the events of 2026 and what the United States hopes to accomplish, along with a discussion of the potential limitations on military actions.

Chris has been a PT faculty member at AHC since 2015. He has a BA in history and political science, and an MA and Ph.D. in political science with a focus on foreign policy and conflict. Chris is a published author on conflicts in the Middle East.

May 1

Explore GIS Tools for Teaching, Research, and Campus Workflows
Presented by AHC faculty member Feride Schroeder
9-10:30 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
No pre-registration required
Bring your laptop or tablet
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer powerful ways to visualize, analyze, and understand data through maps and spatial thinking—and our institution’s ESRI ArcGIS site license makes these tools available to you at no cost.

This session introduces faculty and staff to the ArcGIS suite of software, highlighting apps and tools that support a wide range of needs. Faculty will learn how GIS can enhance teaching, support student projects, and advance research across disciplines. Staff will discover practical applications for streamlining workflows, analyzing data, and communicating information through interactive maps and dashboards.

No prior GIS experience is required. We’ll focus on accessible, web‑based tools as well as more advanced options, demonstrate real‑world examples, and show you how to get started using our site license. Whether you’re curious about mapping, looking to solve a specific problem, or interested in new ways to engage students or stakeholders, this overview will help you see what’s possible.

Creating Interactive Agents & Apps with Vibe Coding 
10-11 a.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required

The Next Chapter in AI: Integration and Best Practices 
12-1 p.m.
Attend in Zoom
Pre-registration required
Join us for a two-part webinar in our ongoing AI-focused series! This session features expert insights on applying AI in hiring and workforce development, building transparent and adaptable AI policies for teaching, and aligning AI with course design to strengthen engagement and student outcomes.

 Highlights include practical, equity-centered strategies from Jonathan Locust for using AI in hiring and workforce development; a clear, adaptable policy model from AI Fellow Suha Aljuboori that supports ethical, transparent use while preserving academic freedom; and actionable guidance from AI Fellow Scott James for integrating AI into course design to enhance engagement and learning outcomes.

Recordings