CCCCO Academic Affairs Project: AI for Teaching and Learning Institute (AI4TL)

The AI for Teaching and Learning Institute (AI4TL Institute) is a six-month, virtual, cohort-based program that helps colleges move from individual experimentation with artificial intelligence to coordinated, ethical, equity-centered, and evidence-informed approaches to AI in teaching and learning.

Through structured learning, peer exchange, hands-on exploration of AI tools, and dedicated team coaching, participating institutions will design and implement a locally relevant AI teaching-and-learning project. Projects may focus on AI literacy, course and assessment redesign, faculty professional development, instructional technology, institutional guidance, online learning, or change-management planning.

The Institute is a collaboration among the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), College of the Canyons, Carnegie Mellon University, and Axim Collaborative.

Who should apply?

The Institute is designed for California Community Colleges that are ready to develop a more intentional and aligned approach to AI in teaching and learning.

Institutions should apply as a cross-functional team of four to six members, including:

  • At least three teaching faculty from diverse disciplines who are interested in piloting AI-supported instructional practices
  • Instructional designers, academic technologists, librarians, and/or teaching-and-learning center staff
  • Academic administrators, such as deans, department chairs, or other leaders who can support institutional strategy, policy, and resource decisions

Strong applicant teams will demonstrate:

  • A commitment to expanding equitable educational opportunity
  • Interest in evidence-based instruction and responsible, human-centered AI use
  • Readiness to move beyond isolated experimentation toward a coordinated institutional strategy
  • Capacity to participate in a sustained six-month engagement and implement tangible changes in teaching, learning, curriculum, policy, or related support structures

Participating California Community Colleges will receive $10,000 to help defray associated costs.

Applications will Open in October – Check Back Soon to Apply

Program Overview

The first AI4TL Institute cohort will run from January 15, 2027, through June 15, 2027. Up to 15 colleges are anticipated to participate in the Spring 2027 cohort, followed by up to 20 colleges in Fall 2027.

The six-month experience includes:

  • A self-paced AI literacy course that establishes a shared foundation in AI concepts, pedagogy, ethics, and equity
  • Live plenaries, applied webinars, case discussions, and cross-institutional peer exchange
  • Hands-on engagement with available AI tools, such as PlayLab and an internal Carnegie Mellon University AI tool
  • Dedicated coaching from an educator-coach to help each team refine goals, navigate challenges, and move its project forward
  • A virtual leadership convening to establish shared priorities and reflect on emerging opportunities throughout the program

Potential Project Areas

Institutional teams will select a project that reflects their local context and priorities. Potential areas include:

  • Integrating generative and agentic AI skills into courses and disciplines
  • Building faculty and student AI literacy
  • Updating online course design and reimagining assessment
  • Developing institutional AI guidelines
  • Designing faculty professional development
  • Piloting AI-supported teaching-and-learning practices
  • Creating change-management plans focused on teaching and learning

Learning, Research, and Impact

Participants will engage in hands-on learning with AI tools while considering their pedagogical value, ethical implications, accessibility, and equity impact. The Institute will assess impact through pre- and post-program surveys on participant confidence and institutional alignment, as well as course data, teaching artifacts, and student feedback where appropriate and permitted.

The project partners will share lessons learned and outcomes through blogs, webinars, conference presentations, and publications. This dissemination strategy will extend the Institute’s impact beyond participating colleges and contribute to a broader national conversation about responsible AI in higher education.

Applications will Open in October – Check Back Soon to Apply