About this Event
In partnership with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges is pleased to announce AI and Academia 2026: Navigating the Future. This institute will center discipline-grounded practices, nuanced conversations, and actionable solutions for teaching and learning in a landscape where AI use—and potential misuse—is growing rapidly. The program will include invited presentations as well as sessions selected through this Call for Proposals.
Our 2025 Academy highlighted the wide range of faculty perspectives on AI, from those still cautious about the technology to those already deeply engaged in using it. Feedback from that event made it clear that faculty across disciplines are looking for practical, discipline-specific guidance—both for using AI effectively and for navigating the challenges that come with its growing presence in education.
In response to this need, this year’s Academy has been designed to offer exactly that. The program brings together invited experts and sessions selected through an open call for proposals, all aimed at providing faculty with concrete strategies, tools, and insights tailored to their fields. Whether attendees are exploring AI for the first time or refining advanced practices, the event will offer relevant resources to support their work.
We invite faculty, researchers, administrators, and practitioners to submit proposals that share innovative approaches, critical perspectives, and real-world applications of AI in community college education.
We look forward to welcoming you to an Academy built to meet the needs of all faculty as we move forward together in an AI-shaped educational environment.
Save the date and join us for the Academic Academy in person at Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California, USA, 92626.
The AI and Academia 2026: Navigating the Future event will be held March 19 - March 21, 2026 in person only.
Where: 686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California, USA, 92626
When: March 19 - March 21, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 9th at 5pm
Note: We will be taking credit card payments only for this event. If you need to make alternative arrangements, please email [email protected].
Registration Fees
In Person Registration : $495
Presenter Registration : Promo Code. The events team will reach out to presenters via email with a registration promo code.
** All Presenters are required to register. **
For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations please contact Kayla Vue or Tonya Davis at [email protected]. Three weeks advance notice of need for accommodations is requested.
Hotel Information
The Academic Academy will take place at the Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California, USA, 92626. A room block has been established for our attendees to book at our room rate of $189/night. Please note, a registration is required before receiving the room block reservation link. The reservation deadline to book your room is March 5, 2026. Register for the event before the deadline to get the reservation link.
Westin South Coast Plaza offers discounted self parking for $30 plus tax daily.
For questions please contact Kayla Vue or Tonya Davis at [email protected].
FAQs
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
We no longer take direct ticket transfers. You will need to submit a new registration for each person attending.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
• Payment is required prior to entering an Academic Senate event.
• Please remember that the last day (March 10th, 2026) to cancel your registration without penalty is always posted on each event's webpage, and is listed in each confirmation email. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to [email protected] on or before the posted date. Registration will not be canceled due to non-payment. All cancellations made after the posted cancellation date will be assessed a $175 cancellation fee.
• Full Refunds will not be granted for cancellations after the posted cancellation deadline.
• Cancellations made less than 7 business working days prior (March 10th, 2026) to the event will be billed the full registration amount for the conference.
• No shows, unclaimed "TBA" attendees, and cancellations made after the deadline will be billed to you and/or your college for the total cost of registration and room if applicable to the event. As attendees are permitted to register without funds, we have no way of determining cancellation unless specifically told, in writing.
• It is your responsibility to ensure payment of the registration fee. Submission of your registration signifies agreement with this policy.
• Unpaid balances owed to the Academic Senate must be paid off before an attendee can register for a future event.
The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?
No, All attendee registrations must match the ticket. We no longer take direct transfers. Every attendee must submit their own registration and payment.
Questions and Concerns
Please contact the Academic Senate Event Team at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Please see Events Agreement Page for all terms and conditions.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, United States
USD 495.00
