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
  • 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. 

Agenda Snapshot w/Speakers

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

SignalVerified

Elaine Chance, MPA

Innovation Systems Analyst

San Diego Community College District

Bridgette Coleman headshot

Bridgette Coleman

Program Manager, Talent Initiatives

San Diego Regional EDC

Dr. Michelle Fischthal

Vice Chancellor, Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness

San Diego Community College District

Dr. Ashanti Hands

President

San Diego Mesa College

Dr. Jacqueline S. Hester

Dean of Public Safety & AI Fellow

San Diego Miramar College

Hanna Jensen, MA

Chief Impact Officer

Junior Achievement of San Diego County

Jonathan Kropp, MS

Workforce Director

Southwestern College

Guillaume Maro, CSCP

Business Operations Manager

Genentech, Inc.

Teddy Martinez, MA

Vice President, Strategic & Policy Initiatives

San Diego Workforce Partnership

Monica Romero, MA

Dean, School of Business & Technology

San Diego Mesa College

Casey Rothenberger, CPP

Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs

San Diego State University Global Campus

Sandeep Shah, MBA

Senior Director, Product & Technology Integrations

LEMNIS

Breakout Session Moderators

Raquel Aparicio, MSML

Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, Enrollment Management

UC San Diego

Dean Darley

Director II - College and Career Readiness

Grossmont Union High School District

Michael Gomez, MS

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Palomar CCD Region

San Diego County Office of Education

Michael Green Jr., MS

Internship Coordinator

MiraCosta College

Kimberly Macias, MS

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region

Imperial County Office of Education

Esther Martinez-Barraza, MEd

K12 Pathway Coordinator, San Diego CCD Region

San Diego Unified School District

Susan J. Pace, CCSP, CHCDC

Director Workforce & Industry Initiatives, Career Services

San Diego State University

Ardy Riego, MEd

Work-Based Learning Specialist, College & Career Readiness

Grossmont Union High School District

Nicole Thren, MEd

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region

Grossmont Union High School District

Leslie Wisdom, MS

K14 Technical Assistance Provider

San Diego and Imperial Community Colleges Regional Consortium

Dr. Amber N. Yoo

Chair, AI Hub & Curriculum Task Forces

CSUSM College of Business Administration