NCAN’s Spring Institute Connects AI and Advising for Members NCAN
NCAN’s Spring Institute Connects AI and Advising for Members NCAN
https://www.ncan.org/Web/News/NCAN-Spring-Institute-Connects-AI-and-Advising-for-Members.aspx
Publish Date: 2026-06-01 11:14:00
Source Domain: www.ncan.org
In April and May, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) hosted its 2026 Spring Institute on a topic on the tips of many members’ tongues these days: how (and whether) artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to aid programs and advance advising for students. This four-part professional development series was designed to help college access and attainment practitioners better understand key concepts, build fluency with generative AI, and take steps toward creating tools of their own. Along the way, members got experience evaluating these platforms and thinking about how to use them responsibly and integrate them into the daily work of supporting students.
The AI in College Access series yielded nearly 500 registrants. Those who attended each of the four sessions received an AI in College Access certificate from our e-learning program. The four 90-minute sessions spanned: AI foundations, responsible and ethical use, and tools like NotebookLM, GPTs, and GEMs. Attendees were also able to workshop and show off their prototypes.
NCAN members can view the recordings and materials for Spring Institute at NCAN’s Learning Center. Non-members can, too, for a fee (or your organization can always join NCAN!)
The sessions were facilitated by Adam Garry, founder and president of StrategicEDU Consulting who engaged NCAN’s audiences with tools and examples of AI use in a variety of fields while making space for members to engage with each other around domain-specific examples.
The series was designed as a progressive curriculum, with each session building on the one before it. Session one established shared language and foundational AI literacy and helped participants map AI capabilities to their specific roles, whether in direct advising, program design, data and reporting, or partnership management. Rather than treating AI as a monolithic concept, the session asked a more practical question: where, specifically, could this change how your work gets done?
Source
