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 will explore how AI is being integrated across industries and provide practical strategies for aligning curriculum, career pathways, and student experiences with workforce needs. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to help students thrive in an AI-enabled economy.
High School, Adult Ed, Community College and University Educators, and Industry Partners are invited to join us to explore how AI is transforming today’s workforce:
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
A few helpful tips about registration:
- Please register your interest in attending the K-16 Collaborative Regional AI Convening by Friday, September 18, 2026. We encourage you to register your interest now! Due to capacity restrictions, registration will close when full, and is not guaranteed to stay open until Sept 18th. *Please note that submitting the registration form does not guarantee registration. Registrations will be confirmed via separate email no later than Monday, September 21, 2026. San Diego and Imperial County educators and industry will receive priority confirmation.
- Due to limited capacity, we want to ensure that all K-16 segments (high school, community college, university and industry) and all sectors are represented. Be on the lookout for an email to confirm your registration and a calendar invitation!
- Employers – Can’t make it in person? No problem. If you would like to be part of the conversation but can only attend via Zoom for the breakout portion of the day at 10:50 am-12:10 pm, we would love to have you! Please indicate this in the registration form, section “Questions? Comments?”
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
TENTATIVE AGENDA *subject to change. A detailed agenda is coming soon!
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
Ashanti Hands, EdD
President
Jacqueline S. Hester, PhD
Dean of Public Safety & AI Fellow
Hanna Jensen
Chief Impact Officer
Jonathan Kropp
Workforce Director
Guillaume Maro, CSCP
Business Operations Manager
Teddy Martinez
Vice President, Strategic & Policy Initiatives
Monica Romero
Dean, School of Business & Technology
Casey Rothenberger, CPP
Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs
San Diego State University Global Campus
Casey Rothenberger, CPP
Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs
Sandeep Shah
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
Michael Gomez
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Palomar CCD Region
Michael Green, Jr.
Internship Coordinator
Kimberly Macias
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region
Imperial County Office of Education
Kimberly Macias
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region
Esther Martinez-Barraza
K12 Pathway Coordinator, San Diego CCD Region
San Diego Unified School District
Esther Martinez-Barraza
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
Nicole Thren
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region
Grossmont Union High School District
Nicole Thren
K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region
Leslie Wisdom
K14 Technical Assistance Provider
San Diego and Imperial Community Colleges Regional Consortium
Leslie Wisdom
K14 Technical Assistance Provider
Dr. Amber N. Yoo
Chair, AI Hub & Curriculum Task Forces