Aims Community College Earns State Recognition for Preparing Learners for an AI-Shaped Future

This is a new designation from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) recognizing colleges and universities taking intentional steps to prepare students, faculty and staff for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Aims is the only community college among the six institutions selected for the inaugural cohort. The AI-Engaged Campuses include Aims, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University Global, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Denver and University of Northern Colorado. CDHE developed the designation not as a one-time measure of AI adoption, but as a framework for continued improvement as artificial intelligence changes education, the workplace and society.

“Preparing learners for the future means helping them understand both the possibilities and the responsibilities that come with artificial intelligence,” said Aims CEO and President Dr. Leah L. Bornstein. “This recognition affirms our commitment to help learners of all ages use emerging technology thoughtfully, strengthen critical thinking and build skills they can carry into their careers.”

The AI-Engaged Campus Designation recognizes schools advancing AI readiness. This includes areas such as curriculum, faculty development, institutional policy, workforce partnerships, ethical implementation and institutional operations.

Preparing Students to Use AI Responsibly

AI literacy at Aims spans all disciplines. Faculty are incorporating AI instruction, expectations and applications across fields including agriculture, business, cybersecurity, English, communication, mathematics, manufacturing, media, healthcare, education and social sciences.

Students are learning skills such as effective prompting, verifying AI-generated information against reliable sources, recognizing bias and limitations, protecting academic integrity and applying AI responsibly in professional settings. In some courses, students use AI tools to assist with coding, cybersecurity, business analysis and media production while evaluating when and how to best use those tools. 

Aims created guidance for responsible AI use. Policies and procedures address areas including academic integrity, privacy, cybersecurity, copyright, attribution and the use of emerging technologies. Course syllabi include expectations for AI use, while technology review processes evaluate issues such as accessibility, security, student data, institutional need and cost before new tools are adopted. 

Connecting AI Skills to the Workforce

Aims works with employers and community partners to understand how AI is changing the skills people need in the workplace.

Employer advisory committees in areas including business, computer information systems, graphic design and communication media have discussed emerging AI applications as well as concerns surrounding AI-generated work. That feedback helps inform curriculum and future credential discussions.

Aims also offers community-facing training in artificial intelligence. Regional companies and organizations can take part in the Corporate Solutions AI in Business course. It introduces participants to AI fundamentals, tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, workforce impacts and strategies for identifying useful AI applications within an organization. Continuing Education classes that are open to all in the community provide training in areas such as data science, artificial intelligence, software engineering and more. 

Aims is evaluating how AI can improve institutional operations, as well. New AI-enabled technologies go through a review and controlled pilots are being used to assess potential applications before broader adoption. Aims’ approach emphasizes demonstrated value, human oversight, accessibility, privacy, security and responsible use rather than adopting technology simply because it is new. 

“AI is changing how people work and Aims has an important role in helping our community navigate that change,” said Marilyn Schock, Chair of the Aims Board of Trustees. “This designation recognizes a commitment to innovation and connecting education with workforce needs while keeping access, ethics and student success at the center."

Learn more about artificial intelligence at Aims by visiting aims.co/AI.