Blinn College leaders share approach to AI innovation at national conference

Board Chair Allison Bentke and Dean Victoria Fowler highlight collaborative leadership and development of new artificial intelligence degree programs

October 30, 2026

Blinn College District leaders recently shared their approach to academic innovation and responsible governance with community college trustees, presidents, and administrators from across the nation during the 2026 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Congress in Chicago.

Victoria Fowler, Dean of Mathematics, Business, Engineering, and Technology, and Allison Bentke, Chair of the Blinn College District Board of Trustees, presented “Beyond the AI Conversation: A Leadership Framework for Community College Transformation,” joined by representatives from Brazosport College.

“Blinn College is committed to being at the forefront of innovation in higher education, and opportunities such as the ACCT Leadership Congress allow us to share that vision with college leaders from across the nation,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “From artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to emerging STEM fields and high-demand workforce programs, we are looking ahead to the skills and technologies that will shape tomorrow’s economy. Our goal is not simply to keep pace with change, but to anticipate what comes next and create opportunities that prepare our students to lead in a rapidly evolving workforce.”

The ACCT Leadership Congress is the nation’s largest annual gathering of community college trustees and leaders, bringing together more than 1,600 participants from higher education, philanthropic organizations, government agencies, and national nonprofits. This year’s conference emphasized how community colleges can navigate technological advances, evolving workforce demands, and other institutional challenges while balancing innovation with responsible stewardship and long-term student success.

The presentation explored how community colleges can move beyond conversations about artificial intelligence and toward meaningful action through collaborative leadership, thoughtful planning, and responsible governance.

While Brazosport College highlighted the integration of AI into teaching and learning, Blinn demonstrated how collaboration among faculty, academic administrators, and institutional leadership led to the development and launch of two new Associate of Applied Science degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence in Business for the fall 2026 semester.

Fowler described how Blinn brought together faculty from multiple disciplines to identify emerging opportunities and develop academic pathways that align with student interests and workforce needs. Bentke shared the Board of Trustees’ perspective on supporting innovation while maintaining appropriate oversight and ensuring new initiatives align with institutional priorities and student needs.

Blinn’s AAS in Artificial Intelligence focuses on the technical side of AI, including cloud computing, machine learning, data science, networking, and infrastructure. The AAS in Artificial Intelligence in Business blends AI coursework with business fundamentals to prepare students to apply AI tools to decision-making, operations, and digital innovation.

Both degrees require 60 credit hours and offer certificate and Occupational Skills Award options for students seeking shorter pathways into the workforce.

For more information about Blinn College’s artificial intelligence programs, visit www.blinn.edu/artificial-intelligence and www.blinn.edu/ai-in-business.