Workshops

Ready to take your online Adult Education programs to the next level? Join us for a conversation with faculty from Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education (SAC SCE) Adult Secondary Education Program and Counseling Services. We will discuss our success in strengthening our online courses and support services, meeting our students where they are, and preparing them for future transitions. Whether you’re just getting your online programs started or looking to improve, this workshop will help you turn your goals into action!

AI is already shaping how adult learners search for jobs and navigate daily life, yet many noncredit and adult education programs still hesitate to bring it into the classroom. Presenters cover the why behind AI, practical strategies to help faculty (especially part-timers) build real confidence, and how to ensure equitable and responsible use of AI for students in online courses, followed by a full 10-minute Q&A with all three presenters answering questions.

Access opens the door—but what happens when noncredit English as a Second Language (ESL) students enter transfer-level English? In this interactive session, you will hear de-identified student voices describe unfamiliar systems, academic expectations, uneven support, readiness, and belonging. Using a Language and Race Critical Theory (LangCrit) lens, you will examine how advising, placement, classroom norms, and institutional structures shape the transition. By the end of the session, you will be able to articulate one opportunity within your role or institutional context to make noncredit ESL-to-credit transitions more intentional and equitable.

Discover how Santa Ana College broke down institutional barriers and built noncredit to credit career education opportunities through curriculum, funding, and student activities. This session covers the ecosystem where centering equity and accessibility took place at every stage: from Academic Senate and Curriculum Council advocacy to practical tools like an internal noncredit course substitution and college-wide Credit for Prior Learning processes. Focusing on the Automotive Technology Pathway, contextualized English for Work curriculum, and the Student Success Conference as models, attendees will learn best practices to establish a noncredit to credit ecosystem that prioritizes equity, honors student experiences, and builds bridges.

How can colleges create meaningful pathways for students whose education begins while incarcerated? This workshop moves beyond isolated courses to examine how noncredit education, counseling, workforce preparation, and reentry support can work together as a coordinated pathway. Participants will explore practical strategies for combining industry-aligned instruction with essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and professional conduct. The session will highlight best practices for designing accessible programs, supporting persistence, building strong correctional partnerships, and helping students transition from custody to continuing education and employment. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas they can adapt to strengthen career-focused education for incarcerated and justice-impacted students.