Columbia State Community College in Tennessee recently participated in a visit to STC that brought together faculty, administrators and AI leaders from both institutions for discussions centered on curriculum development, workforce partnerships and strategies for preparing students for AI-driven industries.

The visit stemmed from a presentation delivered by STC Advance Manufacturing and Mechatronics Technology (AMT) Program Chair Erika Guerra at the American Association of Community Colleges Workforce Development Institute earlier this year, where she highlighted the college’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into manufacturing education.

“Columbia attended that workshop and reached out to me,” Guerra said. “They liked the information that I gave on how we are adapting artificial intelligence in our AMT department and how we are tracking it within the Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology (BPST).”

Representatives from Columbia State, including Aaron Beshears, Ph.D., director of artificial intelligence; Patrick McElhiney, director of grants and Mehran Mostajir, dean of Business and Technology, visited STC as part of Columbia’s COMPASS initiative, a four-year U.S. Department of Education-funded project designed to expand AI integration across teaching, learning and student support services.

“The momentum you have built around AI is remarkable, and it is clearly supported by broad institutional buy-in, from presidential leadership all through faculty and staff,” Beshears said. “I was especially impressed by the BPST Division’s commitment to staying ahead of the technology curve and ensuring students train on current, industry-relevant tools, including AI. That culture of forward-thinking is a real strength.”

During the visit, Columbia State visited with STC’s AI Task Force, faculty from Cybersecurity and Information Technology and leaders involved in the college’s community education AI offerings.

Both institutions expressed interest in continuing discussions and exploring future opportunities for collaboration, which may include workforce development initiatives and AI-focused research projects in order to prepare students for the demands of industry.

“We had a great exchange of ideas,” Guerra said. “We were able to see that we have some similarities, some things are different and it was just a great collaboration and discussion with those visitors from Columbia who had heard about us and wanted to know more.”

The visit also provided an opportunity for STC leaders to showcase how artificial intelligence has become embedded throughout the college, from workforce training and manufacturing programs to broader strategic planning efforts.

Jesus Campos, Ed.D., interim vice president for Information Services, Planning, Performance and Strategic Initiatives, said the discussions with Columbia reaffirmed that STC’s approach to AI implementation is aligned with emerging best practices across higher education.

Campos said STC’s approach emphasizes both innovation and responsibility by balancing experimentation with the development of policies and safeguards that support ethical AI use.

“It gives us an opportunity to hear what others are doing and to share notes on what we are doing,” Campos said. “On one hand, we can share the great things we are doing, but it also helps us identify any gaps or areas where we an improve. It reaffirmed that the directions we are taking are very sound.”

Joe Vela, interim dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology at STC agreed that the visit demonstrates how STC’s AI initiatives are attracting attention far beyond Texas.

“Individuals from other universities are starting to notice, and they are coming to us and looking to us for answers,” Vela said. "Even though the work began in manufacturing, institutions are looking at how they can replicate that success in other programs. They are looking at STC as a leader in that space.”

Beshears said he believed the visit marked the start of a dynamic partnership between the two institutions, and representatives from Columbia left inspired by the vision of STC leadership and faculty.

“Your willingness to share your experiences and lessons learned speaks to the collaborative spirit that defines South Texas College. We left inspired by the clarity of your vision, the strength of your execution, and the commitment your teams bring to advancing AI‑enabled workforce development,” Beshears said. “I am especially grateful for the partnership we are beginning to build together. Our conversations around AI governance, advisory structures, and institutional strategy were incredibly valuable, and the opportunities we identified for joint grant work in AI, security, and technology make the path ahead even more exciting. We look forward to continuing this work side by side and exploring the opportunities ahead.”

For more information on all the exciting developments happening within AI at STC, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/ai/.

The course, beginning January 20, offered through STC’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development, is an entry-level introduction to AI, taught through faculty from STC’s Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics Technology and Cybersecurity programs.

Vice President and Provost of Academic Affairs and Economic Development Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., said for the last two years, STC has invested in preparing students, faculty and staff for the rapidly evolving world of AI.

“With the launch of our new Essentials of AI course, we are excited to extend that commitment beyond our campus and into the heart of our local community,” she said. “We want our region to have access to high-quality, real-world AI training from experts right here at STC.”

The 60-hour credit course is online, self-paced, includes instructor support and focuses on four modules: Foundations of AI, Ethical Foundations of AI, Applied AI and Machine Learning and Essentials of AI.

Erika Guerra, STC Advanced Manufacturing program chair, said the goal of this course is to encourage an interest in artificial intelligence.

“Our courses will empower our community with foundational skills in areas such as Python, a programming language, data modeling and ethics in AI, while opening pathways into certificate programs such as the new AI certificate launching next year, and AI in Manufacturing,” she said. “Overall, the goal is to have participants interested in learning more about AI and enrolling in our new credit courses.”

STC will be launching a new certificate and associate degree AI program in the fall of 2026, and those involved in designing this community course hope that this will give insight into what they could expect if they enroll or to spark an interest.

Cybersecurity faculty member Hector Trevino, said in addition to planting the AI seed of interest, this course will also give participants the confidence they need to face the ever-evolving world of technology.

“I will be teaching the Foundations of AI, a course that will benefit our community by helping students understand the technologies shaping the world around them,” said Trevino. “This course is important because AI now plays a role in education, careers and everyday decision-making. Students will learn core skills in coding, data, problem-solving and how AI projects are designed and applied. The goal is to build their confidence, encourage innovation and prepare them for future opportunities in a technology-driven world.”

Onesimo Trevino Gonzalez, also a Cybersecurity faculty member, said he has been tasked with the largest module, which will focus primarily on machine and data learning, data import processes and basic techniques in computer visuals.

These modules will also revolve around command writing and programming to execute and verify AI responses.

“Designing this course has been a labor of love for AI technology and our community,” he said. “We’ve made everything as easy, as simple as possible. We want our students to succeed, learn and be encouraged. Every module connects and works together. It’s going to open eyes to AI and really give our region a clear understanding of how this technology is evolving, right here at home.”

Although the program is online, Trevino Gonzalez and those involved in the implementation of this course, have ensured that through lecture, theory, hands-on practice and quizzes, students will be prepared to implement AI personally or in the workplace, giving many marketable skills that are in demand.

“There is a huge misconception about AI taking over our jobs or the world, and that is not true. AI cannot think for itself…it needs human input,” he said. “This makes AI skills some of the most marketable. The demand is increasing, we will see a surge, and we want our students and our community to be ready. STC is leading the way.”

Petrosian hopes that this upcoming course continues to evolve with time and serves as a steppingstone into STC’s newest AI certificate/degree program.

Our hope is that this course opens doors, sparks curiosity and inspires more community members to pursue additional certifications or even a degree with us,” she said. “This is an exciting step forward not just for STC, but for the entire Rio Grande Valley.”

For more information on STC’s AI community course or to enroll, visit southtexascollege.edu/cpit/courses/career/computer/.

The interactive sessions have enabled participants to interact and ask questions in an AI lab environment, which has since evolved to include presentations and interactive sessions catering to various AI knowledge levels.  

The idea for the AI Playground at STC emerged organically, according to the three faculty members, who realized they were all experimenting with AI in their teaching. The idea for this program came to them as they partnered to share a common goal, which was to explore what value they could bring to other faculty and staff.

“I came to this out of interest and passion…and what has emerged is something that has been part presentation and part interactive,” Bell said. “The biggest gift for a teacher is to feel like you have shared something useful.”

Moore said the AI Playground is giving faculty the opportunity to enter the next step in their use of AI in the classroom.

“Most people were at different places,” Moore said. “Some were uncomfortable and just wanted to try it, while others were already using AI and wanted to find new tools. The common thread however is noticing how the Playground is giving everyone an opportunity to take that critical leap with AI.”

The AI Playground format has been designed to give faculty and staff the opportunity to utilize AI, practice and “play,” according to Moore. Each session focuses on a theme, like creating presentations, writing prompts and creating classroom simulations that encourage faculty to bring tools and techniques they are using in class.

The sessions quickly became dynamic exchanges, Moore said, with faculty from various disciplines, from art to drama to business, not only learning how to apply AI but how to contribute their ideas.

Sessions conducted by Bell together with Moore, for example, included Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) coding and AI design tools to generate professional PowerPoint presentations, with participants following along on lab computers.

Moore recalled how one business professor demonstrated how to use AI to create simulations that allowed students to interact with an AI system in real time.

“I don’t think we had one department that wasn’t represented,” Moore said. “The beauty was seeing faculty across subject areas actually using AI.”

The AI Playground coincides with STC’s push to develop an AI ecosystem and joins the collegewide effort by leadership to implement AI across the college’s six campuses through a decentralized, but ethics-driven approach meant to balance restrictions with opportunity.

The integration of AI at the college has been designated an institutional priority in STC’s 2025-2031 Strategic Plan, which calls for the creation of programs and degrees using emerging technologies as well as the use of AI to maximize efficiency and streamline its operations.

Along with innovative ideas like the AI Playground emerging, STC has seen the creation of an AI Literacy course through its Center for Learning Excellence, which integrated AI policy into the student handbook. The college has also launched an AI website with vetted tools for students, faculty and staff.

“What’s more important is that these tools are safe,” Moore said. “They are behind our firewall, so ChatGPT isn’t using our data to train on. Faculty can explore AI knowing their information is protected.”

Dickinson emphasized that AI literacy is as fundamental as the ABCs. She leads classes on prompt engineering and plans additional workshops this semester on ethics, governance and AI in education.

“Everyone is supposed to know the basics,” Dickinson said. “It’s all about the way you speak to AI, whether you’re writing an essay or generating an image…it’s an exchange of energy and knowledge, and that’s a great feeling.” 

With a teaching style centered on forging authentic connections in a virtual environment, Bell said she sees online accessibility as an opportunity to support students as people, not just learners.

The eFaculty honor is given to STC faculty members annually as a way to recognize innovation and the integration of technology into online teaching.

Bell credited the recognition not only to her own efforts, but made possible through the encouragement of colleagues and her husband, who also teaches at STC.

With no prior online teaching experience, Bell said it was the personal connections with students during the Covid-19 pandemic, which she described as a “trial by fire,” that spurred her to shift to online teaching while increasing her technological expertise and discovering new ways to connect. 

At the same time, Bell said she was undergoing cancer treatment, but the work gave her focus and purpose. Making the most out of the difficulties brought on by Covid, she said the ordeal challenged her to engage students through visually appealing and interactive content, while promoting ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), honesty and open dialogue.

“It saved me in more ways than one,” she said. “I saw the power of being able to connect with people that you never really see in person.”

In the years following the pandemic, Bell said her courses have evolved to incorporate creative strategies to keep online students engaged. On any given day, her courses can include video quizzes with an emphasis on visually dynamic course design and interactive tools.

AI especially remains at the heart of her teaching. Bell said she encourages students to use AI thoughtfully and transparently while fostering open conversations about its appropriate use.

She challenges students to view AI as a tutor, a source of debate or even a “feedback partner” rather than just a shortcut to getting an assignment done.

Reflective writing assignments, which allow students to analyze their use of AI and their learning experiences, have become a favorite feature in her classes, she said.

The approach has cultivated an environment of trust. Students often come to her with questions about whether certain uses of AI are acceptable. Bell said she reassures students often that honesty matters most and emphasizes dialogue over discipline.

The openness, she said, is one of the most rewarding outcomes of her teaching style.

“Students were coming to me saying, ‘I want to use AI in this way, but I want to run it by you first.’ That kind of honesty has been the most gratifying part of the process,” she said.

Faculty with STC’s English department say Bell’s approach to teaching online has been groundbreaking, especially as she continues to reach out to students while spurring their success.

“Robin Bell is an innovator with technology,” said English department chair Carissa Hayden. “We are proud that she is being recognized because she always strives to make her content accessible and most importantly, fun for students. The honor is definitely well deserved.”

Bell said she hopes students leave her class believing in themselves. Recognizing the doubts many students face about belonging in college, Bell said she works to reaffirm their abilities while reminding them that what truly matters is how they connect with others.

“Sometimes you just need somebody else to see in you, what you cannot see in yourself,” Bell said. “I hope my students leave my class believing in themselves more than anything.”

This summer Hernandez’s article, “Bridging AI Innovation with AI Governance,” appeared in Higher Ed Risk Magazine, a national publication dedicated to news and trends shaping threats to higher education.

The takeaway, according to Hernandez, is that while higher education institutions are at a crossroads for innovation and accountability, STC, especially is taking a leadership role by embracing AI responsibly while taking steps to protect data, curb bias and build trust.

“I think STC is definitely ahead of the curve. Other schools I’ve worked with talk about going all in with AI, but I haven’t seen the tangible steps that STC is already taking,” Hernandez said. “Now that I’m here, I see real potential for growth.” 

Hernandez currently serves as an adjunct faculty member within STC’s Cybersecurity program and works closely with college leadership on advancing cybersecurity and artificial intelligence initiatives.

As an expert in the area of artificial intelligence governance, Hernandez has also been contributing to STC’s decentralized approach to AI adoption in a taskforce led by Jesus Campos, Ed.D.  interim vice president for Technology, Information and Planning Services (TIPS) and Christoper Nelson, Ph.D., dean of STC Liberal Arts, serving as a central point to guide AI across all programs at the college.

Participating in AI governance meetings at STC as well as supporting efforts to institute what he calls institutional guardrails for responsible AI use, Hernandez said he uses his platform to advocate for stronger policies, formal charters and risk assessments that will strengthen STC’s leadership in the field.

“Being part of STC’s AI governance meetings has been encouraging. It shows the college is serious about creating responsible guardrails for AI,” Hernandez said. “I think it’s a good start and heading in the right direction.”

Hernandez is a cybersecurity professional with more than 17 years of experience in the fields of information security, risk management, IT audit and cybersecurity research.

Over the course of his career, Hernandez has worked in multiple industries including Texas state government, higher education, healthcare and financial services.

He is also currently a senior manager in Cybersecurity Risk Management for a healthcare Fortune 6 company and holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and E-Commerce as well as a master’s degree in Information Assurance Management from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Based in San Antonio, Hernandez said he still maintains close ties to the Rio Grande Valley and remains committed to supporting STC’s growth.

As the college further integrates AI into its programs, Hernandez said he sees STC leading the way for groundbreaking opportunities for Valley students to gain cutting-edge skills in one of the fastest-growing fields. 

“If you don’t get on board with AI, you’re going to be left behind. That’s true not just in IT or cybersecurity, but in marketing, human resources, manufacturing and every other sector,” Hernandez said. “AI is already becoming a minimum requirement in job descriptions. Students who ignore it will struggle to compete in the job market. The students who use AI to enhance their skills and make themselves more efficient will be attractive to employers.

Leadership and faculty with the program say they have now awarded more than 2,250 certificates to students taking BAT-CIT courses in the five years since integrating what the program calls AI-focused “microcredentials” tied to Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in fall 2020. 

The priority on industry credentials is giving graduates a unique and competitive edge in the job market, according to program Department Chair Saeed Molki.

“In the entire state of Texas and throughout the entire United States, no one has done such a thing,” Molki said, referring to the number of credentials awarded to students. “We do not overstate all the work we have done for students in the last five years.”

Crediting college leadership including STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., along with Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs and Economic Development, Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., and Dean of Math, Science, IT and Bachelor Programs Ali Esmaeili, Ed.D., for encouraging the push toward microcredentials and AI, Molki said the effort began with a vision to embed industry certifications directly into courses. 

The effort culminated this year in 2025 as the program added four new AI-related courses, which includes an Advanced Artificial Intelligence course for fourth-year students and an upcoming Data Science and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity course which begins in spring 2026.

Each course is meant to build on the last to create a progressive pathway to advanced AI concepts, according to BAT-CIT faculty.

“So essentially, students are going to be getting a certificate with every class,” said Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Nicholas Hinojosa. “Last semester, we even implemented that every student who is taking our 1301 class, which is our most basic class, will complete a certificate in Google Artificial Intelligence Essentials. These are students who are coming fresh from high school to STC.”

The BAT-CIT program offers seven industry-recognized certifications, that align with coursework so students earn credentials as they progress through the program.

CIT Assistant Professor Menghung Wu, Ph.D., emphasized that the curriculum builds from Python to machine learning and then to advanced AI which ensures students understand both the technical skills and theory behind AI systems.

“AI is no longer just a tool, it’s the foundation of how technology is advancing,” Wu said. “This is why in our program, we don’t just introduce students to the basics, we guide them step-by-step into the core of artificial intelligence. That deeper knowledge is what will set them apart as innovators in the workplace.”

BAT-CIT student Andrea Rios is the founder and current president of the program’s Computer Science Club and organizes various activities and speakers for students. Reflecting on the priority the program places on AI-related credentials, Rios said faculty are doing a phenomenal job by embracing the new technology and gauging the industry.

“The biggest way the faculty in the BAT-CIT program help students is by understanding the market and the workplace and realizing just how quickly it changes, especially in the technology industry,” Rios said. “At STC, we are taught to adapt and I think that’s the most important thing I have taken from my time here.”

For more information on STC’s Computer and Information Technologies program visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/computer-info-tech/index.html.

AI should not be considered a fad, but a permanent technological shift that must be addressed proactively according to Jesus Campos, Ed.D., STC interim vice president for Information Services, Planning, Performance and Strategic Initiatives, who says workforce readiness means embracing the new technology as it evolves. 

“Colleges have a responsibility to prepare students for a workforce where AI skills are essential, so simply banning AI would be a disservice to students,” Campos said. “Instead, the goal is to balance restrictions with opportunities for learning and workplace readiness, but with institutional guidance that eliminates confusion about important things like ethics, cheating and acceptable use by students.”

In implementing AI across STC’s six campuses, Campos said the college has taken a decentralized approach where each department explores how AI can best fit its specific areas.

STC’s Bachelor of Applied Technology Computer Information Technology (BAT-CIT) has been among the programs to dive headfirst into the technology, integrating AI certifications tied to Google and Amazon Web Services (AWS) since 2023.

“The BAT-CIT program offers students the opportunity to earn valuable microcredentials, which provide significant advantages in the job market,” said STC Assistant Professor of Computer Science Nicholas Hinojosa. “Credentials can help graduates advance in their careers, secure higher salaries and stay competitive by developing the latest skills including expertise reflected in Google career certificates …the combination greatly increases employability for new graduates.”

STC alumnus Fernando Benavides graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology in 2021. Now, as the Information Technology Operations Manager for Texas Workforce Solutions, Benavides said the priority the BAT-CIT program places on AI in its courses enabled him to incorporate the technology used by the organization to help job seekers.

“You may already know that Workforce Solutions uses an AI tool that helps those looking for jobs to create resumes and help in their search, and that’s just one example, others are using AI to help them manage their 401K retirement plans. So, the truth is, AI is not the future because it’s already here,” Benavides said. “It’s no surprise that STC is taking advantage of this perfect moment to begin implementing all these tools at their disposal, within the right parameters and the right controls in place, because it is only going to enhance the learning potential for all students.”

Campos said integrating AI into its divisions and programs is more than just a mandate, it has been designated as an institutional priority in the college’s 2025-2031 Strategic Plan, which calls for the creation of programs and degrees using emerging technologies as well as the use of AI to maximize efficiency and streamline operations.

To coordinate efforts across the college’s divisions, STC has created an AI Task Force co-led by Campos and Christoper Nelson, Ph.D., dean of STC Liberal Arts, that also serves as a central point, guiding AI across all programs at the college.

STC’s AI Task Force will also coordinate the technology’s use among faculty, which emphasizes a balanced approach to training and ethics.

“Responsible use means leveraging AI for support while still practicing foundational skills,” Campos said.

Leadership with the Division of Business, Public Safety and Technology (BPST) say they have recognized AI’s current and future relevance and have begun a year-long effort to assess its potential applications in programs.

“We know AI is already here to stay and we want to start embedding it into all of our programs. There really is potential everywhere,” said BPST point of contact Joe Vela. “We decided to go all in on this. We know that the students of tomorrow are going to come in already using AI as a resource, and we want to make sure that we are utilizing it effectively in our curriculum. We want to show them that we have an answer for them, exemplifying expertise when it comes to AI.”

For more information about the utilization of artificial intelligence at STC visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/ai/.

Nearly two years in the making, STC’s AI in Manufacturing course was made possible through a partnership with Intel, which has provided the resources for curriculum and hardware to launch the course by spring 2025. 

Those efforts by the college’s AMT program earned it an invite recently to a national summit by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network (AIIN), which is focused on integrating AI into manufacturing programs.

STC was among five leading community colleges from across the nation that gathered at the AIIN Advanced Manufacturing Summit in Washington, DC to discuss unique approaches to AI programming and share practices in the emerging discipline.

“Attending AACC's Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network summit was a truly inspiring experience. Being selected as one of only five colleges from across the nation to participate in these discussions is such an honor and brings to light the work that we are doing to contribute to shaping the future of AI,” said Sara Lozano, dean of STC’s Business, Public Safety and Technology division. “South Texas College is a leader in innovation, and recognitions like these provide an opportunity to highlight this great institution.”  

Spurred by STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., who has challenged programs at the college to seek emerging technologies with a priority on new skills and credentials, STC faculty said they moved quickly to begin the process to establish the new AI course.

AMT Program Chair Erika Guerra said she received hundreds of hours of training through Intel’s Artificial Intelligence for Workforce “Train the Trainer” program to bring AI to the college.

While in the course, students will be taught ethics in AI and manufacturing along with programming and coding as well as the evaluation of company data provided by Intel, which will give students a sense for predictive maintenance and quality control measures that could be applied in small to medium sized manufacturing companies.

Leadership with Intel agree that what is taking place with regards to AI at STC has the potential to make a lasting impact manufacturing in the region. 

“We at Intel are thrilled to collaborate with South Texas College on their Advanced Manufacturing Technology program. This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators with cutting-edge AI skills and resources,” said Michael Harrison, director of Digital Readiness for Intel. “By integrating our AI for Workforce Program into STC’s curriculum, we are not only providing students with invaluable hands-on experience, but also helping to shape the future of manufacturing in South Texas.

The ultimate goal, according to Guerra, is to take it a step further, and in the near future utilize sensors installed at local companies in the region that will collect data, which students will then use for AI modeling.

“We are being looked at for leading the way in AI for manufacturing here in South Texas,” Guerra said. “Together, with our partners like Dell and Intel, we are setting the expectations on a national scale for students who will say ‘I didn’t just go to class. I was a part of something that will change education as we know it.’ It’s too new at this time to see all the impacts this will have in the future, but it’s definitely on the way.”

For more information on STC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology program visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/manufacturing/.