AI Program Development Mentorship
Join NAAIC's institutional mentorship program specifically designed for community colleges. Develop comprehensive AI education capabilities with structured guidance from industry experts and experienced educational partners.
Program Features
Comprehensive Program Development
Empower Your College with Structured AI Program Implementation Mentorship
Our mentorship program provides community colleges with strategic guidance for integrating AI education into existing departments or developing standalone programs during one academic year.
- Priority access to faculty development activities
- Travel stipend for NAAIC’s annual AI Summit
- Assistance to develop a local BILT
- Access to repository of AI content and resources
- Direct support from industry partners for curriculum implementation
- Guidance to establish a targeted plan to recruit students for the AI program
Eligibility Criteria
Is Your Institution Ready for AI Education Mentorship?
To qualify, community colleges must be accredited in the United States and demonstrate institutional commitment to develop or implement an AI degree within the mentorship period through faculty and administrative support.
Important Dates
Mentorship: Sept 2026 to Jul 2027
Application deadline: July 31, 2026
Selection notification: August 28, 2026
Empowering Community Colleges Through AI Program Mentorship
Our mentorship initiative has transformed AI education capabilities at community colleges nationwide. Discover how participating institutions have successfully developed and implemented effective AI programs that prepare students for high-demand careers.
Real Impact
Hear from institutions that have established successful AI education programs with measurable outcomes for student achievement and career placement.
Why Join Us?
Become part of our growing network of forward-thinking community colleges preparing students for the AI-enabled workforce.
2025–26 Mentorship Cohort
NAAIC is proudly mentoring 13 institutions during the 2025-26 academic year.
This cohort is actively working in the development of AI degrees for implementation this or next academic year.
2024–25 Mentorship Participants
Des Moines Area Community College
DMACC made significant strides in AI education after their 2024–25 mentorship engagement and in Fall 2025 is launching:
Associate in Science in AI degree
18-hour Certificate in AI
Valencia College
After their 2025 mentorship engagement, Valencia College launched:
9-credit certificate in AI Foundations
Retooling of existing coursework to embed responsible AI principles, including the integration of ethics into foundational courses.
Illinois Central College
The mentorship program was instrumental in helping Illinois Central College develop their Associate in Applied Science in AI, which will begin Fall’26. The guidance, combined with the recommended knowledge, skills, and abilities from industry leaders, ensured their curriculum is both relevant and forward-thinking.
Join Our AI Program Development Initiative
Discover how your community college can develop comprehensive AI education capabilities with structured guidance from NAAIC's expert mentorship program.
“NAAIC’s guidance has extended beyond curriculum development. Their insights helped us better understand how to market the program and recruit students. We also formed a Business and Industry Leadership Team focused on AI, a direct outcome of our engagement with NAAIC. ”
