In today’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape, professional learning must be more than a series of disconnected workshops — it should be a strategic, equity-driven system that supports all employees in advancing student success. In this keynote, Dr. Natalie M. Vazquez introduces the Professional Learning Hierarchy of Needs, a research-based framework designed to help colleges build strong foundations, expand access, foster engagement, and cultivate leadership across every role. Attendees will gain insights, strategies, and practical tools to assess their institution’s current capacity, identify gaps, and create sustainable professional learning plans that drive meaningful, campus-wide impact.

Community college professionals are no strangers to navigating change, complexity, and competing demands—all while remaining committed to student success and institutional mission. But who supports your success, your resilience, and your sense of belonging? This interactive workshop introduces SPARK—a practical framework grounded in Strengths, Pivot, Adapt, Resilience, and Kindness. Created by an educator who has lived and led through adversity, SPARK helps individuals and teams reconnect to purpose, build adaptive strength, and cultivate belonging—right where they are. Participants will reflect on their own professional identity, explore the power of pivoting toward possibility, and engage with hands-on tools to navigate stress and systemic fatigue. We’ll also explore how kindness, when operationalized as “compassion in action,” can shift workplace culture, starting with simple, replicable practices. Designed specifically for community college educators, staff, and leaders, this session supports both personal renewal and collective culture-building—because thriving professionals build thriving campuses.

No description necessary.

This session explores the transformative impact of AI in higher education and professional development. Participants will examine the different levels of AI, unpack key ethical concerns, and discover practical solutions to address them. Tailored insights will highlight AI considerations for classified professionals, faculty, administrators, and especially those leading professional development efforts. Join us for an engaging, thought-provoking discussion on how to navigate the evolving educational landscape—responsibly and inclusively.

The Vision Resource Center is evolving to better support the professional development needs of California Community Colleges. Access to Skillsoft Legacy courses will end on November 1, 2025, and new content will be introduced through OpenSesame—all 508 tested and verified to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. This session will highlight the content curation process underway to ensure new offerings align with systemwide needs. Areas of focus include compliance training, credential preparation, role-specific pathways, and other targeted professional development resources. Attendees will learn what changes to expect, how to access curated content, and how these updates will support ongoing growth and success across our colleges.

Join members of North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) as they discuss the variety of award-winning ProDev programs for Classified, FT Faculty, Adjuncts, and Mgmnt. It is important to assess and build on the talent and skills that reside with your campus community. This presentation will highlight the various methods of how to create, design, and cultivate learning and professional environments for all employee groups. Presenters will engage in shared practices and discuss the many successes and challenges in putting together a roster of opportunities that enhance the building blocks and professional skill sets for all employee communities.