K-16 AI Convening
Work Ready in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Equipping Students for Careers in an AI-Powered Workforce
K-16 Regional Convening
Friday, September 25, 2026
San Diego Mesa College
This interactive regional convening explored how AI is being integrated across industries and provided practical strategies for aligning curriculum, career pathways, and student experiences with workforce needs. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how to help students thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
Thank you for attending the K-16 AI Convening!
Event Program
Here are the convening resources:
- To access the AI Convening Resource Folder, visit https://bit.ly/K16-
AIresources - The folder contains tons of information and links; the main slide deck, rotating slide deck (includes many AI grant opportunities and events), breakout materials & key insights, event program, event photos, AI resources doc (includes reports, courses & articles), AI models, applications & platforms.
- Check this out! Reflections from the K-16 Regional AI Convening blog post by Dr. Amber Yoo, who served as a breakout facilitator at the convening. Dr. Yoo is the Chair, AI Hub & Curriculum Task Force/Faculty, Marketing & Management Department at the College of Business Administration, Cal State University San Marcos.
For those who attended, please complete the Post-Event Survey. Your feedback will help shape and support future educator and industry-focused AI initiatives.
Convening Details:
- AUDIENCE:
High School, Adult Education, Community College, and University Educators & Administrators across all programs/pathways(Teachers, College/University Faculty, Department Chairs, Instructional Coordinators, Counselors, TOSAs, Administrators, Deans, Assistant Deans, Program Leads)
Employers & Workforce Partners - WHEN: Friday, September 25, 2026
Breakfast & Check-in at 8:30am
Event at 9:00 am – 3:00pm - WHERE: San Diego Mesa College
7250 Mesa College Dr, San Diego, CA 92111
MC 211 (Mesa Commons) - WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE CONVENING:
- Hear how employers are integrating AI and the skills they seek in
entry-level talent - Explore strategies to align education and training with workforce needs
- Prepare students and future workers for AI-enabled careers
- Connect with educators, employers, and workforce leaders
- Hear how employers are integrating AI and the skills they seek in
- EXAMPLE PATHWAYS COVERED INCLUDE:
Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, Water & Environmental Technologies, Business & Entrepreneurship, Energy, Construction & Utilities, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, ICT & Digital Media, Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Transportation & Logistics, Public Safety, and Education & Human Development - FREE REGISTRATION & PARKING
Continental breakfast and lunch provided
AGENDA *subject to change.
8:30-9:00 am Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 am Welcome, Details for the Day
9:20-9:50 am Data Presentations from SDREDC and SDWP
9:55-10:35 am Industry Panel
10:35-10:50 am Transition
10:50-12:10 pm Breakout: Industry-Driven Discussions (industry & educators)
12:10-12:45 pm Hosted Lunch
12:45-1:00pm SDCCD Data Presentation
1:05-1:45 pm Educator Panel
1:45-2:00 pm Transition
2:00-3:00 pm Breakout: Educator Discussions (educators only)
Questions about the event? Email christine@k16talentpipeline.org
SDWP Launches New AI Report
The San Diego Regional EDC and San Diego Workforce Partnership have been gathering feedback from employers. At the AI convening, they will share how AI is transforming San Diego’s labor market, what these shifts mean for local companies, sectors, occupations and workers, and how the regional workforce system can support them. Click on the image to the left to check out the SDWP report!
Presenters & Panelists
Dr. Michael A. Campbell
Founder and CEO
Elaine Chance, MPA
Innovation Systems Analyst
Bridgette Coleman
Program Manager, Talent Initiatives
Dr. Michelle Fischthal
Vice Chancellor, Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness
San Diego Community College District
Dr. Michelle Fischthal
Vice Chancellor, Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness
Dr. Ashanti Hands
President
Dr. Jacqueline S. Hester
Dean of Public Safety & AI Fellow
Jonathan Kropp, MS
Workforce Director
Guillaume Maro, CSCP
Business Operations Manager
Teddy Martinez, MA
Vice President, Strategic & Policy Initiatives
Casey Rothenberger, CPP
Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs
San Diego State University Global Campus
Casey Rothenberger, CPP
Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs
Sandeep Shah, MBA
Senior Director, Product & Technology Integrations
Breakout Session Moderators
Raquel Aparicio, MSML
Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, Enrollment Management
UC San Diego
Raquel Aparicio, MSML
Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, Enrollment Management
Kimberly Macias, MS
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region
Imperial County Office of Education
Kimberly Macias, MS
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region
Esther Martinez-Barraza, MEd
K12 Pathway Coordinator, San Diego CCD Region
San Diego Unified School District
Esther Martinez-Barraza, MEd
K12 Pathway Coordinator, San Diego CCD Region
Susan J. Pace, CCSP, CHCDC
Director Workforce & Industry Initiatives, Career Services
San Diego State University
Susan J. Pace, CCSP, CHCDC
Director Workforce & Industry Initiatives, Career Services
Ardy Riego, MEd
Work-Based Learning Specialist, College & Career Readiness
Grossmont Union High School District
Ardy Riego, MEd
Work-Based Learning Specialist, College & Career Readiness
Nicole Thren, MEd
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region
Grossmont Union High School District
Nicole Thren, MEd
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region
Leslie Wisdom, MS
K14 Technical Assistance Provider
San Diego and Imperial Community Colleges Regional Consortium
Leslie Wisdom, MS
K14 Technical Assistance Provider