Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) is helping member schools move from AI awareness to practical implementation through a coordinated series of webinars and partner-led learning opportunities. Together, these offerings give campus leaders, faculty, and staff access to strategic guidance, workforce-focused learning models, and ready-to-use resources that support responsible AI adoption across teaching, learning, student success, and institutional operations.
- ACI and CIC: AI Ready – Fourth Thursdays in partnership with The Council of Independent Colleges is helping institutions build campus-wide AI readiness through a structured year-long series focused on key higher education topics such as enrollment, pedagogy, student success, and administration. ACI’s role is to connect Illinois member schools to this national framework and extend the learning through its Illinois-focused discussions, where campus leaders can reflect on lessons, share examples, and explore practical next steps together.
- Tuesday, May 12: Learn About IBM AI SkillsBuild for Your Campus. This webinar introduces member schools to free AI learning opportunities, credentials, and events offered through IBM SkillsBuild. It aims to help academic leaders understand how these resources can support faculty, staff, and students in developing AI literacy and workforce-relevant skills. The webinar will also demonstrate how a broad approach using badges and training can be implemented across the entire campus community.
- Tuesday May 19: Building the AI Ready Campus. ACI and DeVryPro are teaming up to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce. This session will focus on a practical, ready-to-use model that helps institutions quickly and affordably introduce AI learning. ACI’s role is to provide member schools with a partner solution that supports hands-on, workforce-aligned instruction, flexible course delivery, and scalable implementation. This collaboration aims to simplify the expansion of AI learning on campuses without the need for institutions to develop every component internally.
These partnerships create multiple entry points for institutions to strengthen AI fluency, explore scalable solutions, and prepare ACI member schools for an AI-driven future. For more information, contact Leslie Scarpace at lscarpace@acifund.org