The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday titled “Empowering Higher Ed Leaders – Harnessing Generative AI for Institutional Innovation.”
This online event is currently open only to HACU members, but discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education have been an ongoing theme in HACU’s presentations.
In collaboration with Conectado, HACU previously hosted a panel featuring three nationally recognized educators who explored the use of AI on campus.
The webinar, titled “AI in Higher Ed: Insights from Academic Leaders,” presented a panel of educators discussing what is working, what comes next, and how AI can produce tangible results for students, faculty, and institutions.
They shared insights on who is testing, implementing, and rethinking AI on their campuses, covering real classroom applications and campus-wide strategies. The session examined both successful initiatives and areas still being developed.
Jen García, the founder of Ingrained.ai, is an innovator in AI education and an experienced education specialist. Through Employ California, Jen equips job seekers with career advancement skills to bridge skill gaps and promote economic mobility through workforce development.
Ingrained.ai further supports her mission by providing tailored, affordable AI training and tools to underrepresented communities, educators, nonprofits, and small businesses, ensuring everyone can thrive in the AI revolution.
Jen has expertise in workforce development and AI literacy training. As an AI Executive in Residence at the Goldhirsh Foundation, she has consulted for various organizations, including the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Brooklyn Public Library, AltaSea, and several nonprofit organizations.
Additionally, through her volunteer work with Break Through Tech AI, she leads teams in developing customized AI and machine learning solutions.
Dr. Christyna Serrano, an award-winning educator and innovation leader, is the director of Early Career Online Business Education at Stanford University.
She focuses on leveraging the latest digital tools and educational theories to enhance the delivery of both academic and corporate training programs.
In the summer of 2024. Serrano led an insightful session in a personal finance course. She showcased how AI tools can enhance learning environments, driving student engagement through hands-on activities.
As Vice Chancellor of Educational and Student Services at the San Bernardino Community College District, Dr. Nohemy Ornelas
oversees industry partnerships, workforce development, institutional effectiveness, technology services, and programs designed to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
During a recent Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Ornelas was recognized by the Latinicima Awards for her 27 years in public service, including 19 years in higher education.
She has played a critical role in developing equity-driven programs and strategies that have opened doors to higher education for thousands of students and their families, securing millions in grant funding to support student services, career training, and regional economic growth initiatives.
In April 2025, HACU announced a partnership with Logixs, a Spanish company specializing in generative AI, to transform education in member institutions.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Logixs CEO Francisco José Moreno Balboa and HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores during HACU’s Annual National Capitol Forum on April 29.
This partnership will enable participating institutions to collaborate on research projects related to generative AI and engage with private companies on research and development initiatives focused on generative artificial intelligence, thereby fostering educational and technological innovation.
In June 2024, Conectado partnered with HACU and the Mark Cuban Foundation to launch the Conectado AI Literacy Bootcamp.
This program empowers undergraduate students and working professionals to understand the potential of AI and its practical applications in the real world. Dr. José Morey, an AI leader, guided participants through the fundamentals, ethics, and practical uses of AI across various fields.
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