Community Colleges Equip Students for AI-Driven Workforce

1 week ago 0

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly impacting the workforce, prompting community colleges across Chicago and its suburbs to prepare students for this evolving landscape. These institutions are taking proactive steps to integrate AI into their curricula, ensuring students are equipped for jobs of the future.

Leaders at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills are spearheading efforts to meet these demands. Ryen Nagle, Vice President of Academic Affairs at the college, has been appointed to the Commission on the Future of Work by the American Association of Community Colleges. This organization advocates for community colleges nationwide, focusing on workforce and educational innovations.

Nagle’s term, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2029, will focus on identifying AI tools crucial for various fields and facilitating access for faculty and students. “Understanding employers’ needs regarding AI usage and preparing students to utilize it effectively are key objectives,” said Nagle.

“Work is pivotal to our lives and community health, providing both productivity and purpose. Integrating AI’s human side into education is essential,” Nagle explained.

While Moraine Valley Community College is active in these discussions, City Colleges of Chicago has also embraced AI. In 2026, they launched their first AI degree program at Wilbur Wright College. Ayoka Noelle Mota Samuels, Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology Sector Strategy, stated that the program combines virtual and in-person classes, aimed at equipping students with necessary AI skills.

City Colleges of Chicago have embedded AI and information technology skills in various programs over recent years. Initiatives like the Tech Launchpad at Kennedy-King College enable students to earn certificates in AI and Machine Learning Development.

At Moraine Valley Community College, psychology professor Laura Lauzen-Collins incorporates AI discussions into her classroom. She emphasizes the importance of mastering foundational skills and understanding responsible AI practices.

“Students must know how to use these tools correctly and recognize when they’re flawed,” noted Lauzen-Collins.

As AI’s future remains uncertain, Lauzen-Collins advises students to prepare for potential impacts on their careers, especially in computer-centric roles that face higher risks as AI advances.