This month’s outreach efforts included the production of a new Digital Fluency animation microcredential video by ACC GROW student Kara Buckner. Linda Smarzik, Ann Kennedy, and Ann Pamela Saez filmed student testimonials for marketing purposes, and Linda provided a testimonial on the benefits of collaborating with Kara Buckner. Meetings were held with Chandra Vanajakshi, Kevin Clark, and Paula Luera to discuss becoming Digital Navigators, and with Andrea Kehoe to explore integrating AI Microcredentials into the AAIA Summer School Program. Karina Hernandez successfully submitted an AI proposal for a three-day summer institute workshop. Additionally, discussions with Jenna Cullinane Hege and Connie Wall focused on the current landscape of microcredentials at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The migration of microcredentials from Brightspace Leap to Blackboard Ultra continued, along with ongoing development of the Systems Thinking and Project Management microcredentials. Data highlights include 141 digital badges awarded to students who completed Spring #1 microcredentials.

The DFI team had a busy month with several key activities. They met with Kara Buckner to discuss future animation projects for Digital Fluency. Linda Smarzik planned a presentation for Central New Mexico’s Summer Innovation Institute with Christine Goshorn and coordinated a co-presentation with El Paso Community College. Collaborations with the Curriculum and Programs team advanced the build-out of Blackboard Ultra microcredential sections for summer. Work on the AI Microcertificate continued in a planning session with Mary Kohls. Linda participated in the monthly Digital Badging Subcommittee meeting and attended the ACC GROW End-of-Year Celebration. Karina Hernandez attended the AVANCE to College End-of-Year Celebration. Additionally, Linda presented a proposed paid delivery model for microcredentials to Central New Mexico College.
In the area of microcredentials, a marketing request was submitted to promote DFI program awareness and registration for Fall microcredentials. The migration from Brightspace Leap to Blackboard Ultra continued, with ongoing development of the Systems Thinking and Project Management microcredentials. Data highlights include six students earning the Web Presence Fundamentals Microcertificate, 185 digital badges awarded to students who completed Spring #2 microcredentials, and the completion of two new microcredentials offered as pilots for Summer 2025. Additionally, six new Co-Curricular Digital Navigators joined the program through targeted outreach and word-of-mouth recruitment.

Monthly Summary In July, Linda Smarzik and Raquel Racusin presented at the Summer Innovation Institute at Central New Mexico College,

Migration from Brightspace Leap to Blackboard Ultra continued, alongside development on the Systems Thinking and the newly begun Project Management microcredentials. The Spring Session #1 commenced on February 3rd, and a paid model pilot was launched in collaboration with Austin Non-Profit. Data highlights include 235 students enrolling through the opt-in process for the first semester session in Spring 2025.

In March, Linda Smarzik participated in several outreach activities, including working with the Career and Life Design Center Committee and discussing the impact of Microsoft 360 License changes on Digital Fluency. She met with Lisa Maria Coppoletta to talk about the Digital Navigator initiative and attended the monthly Badging Committee meeting. Linda explored potential partnerships with Barry Silverberg and discussed the benefits of becoming a Digital Navigator with Saeed Sallemikia. She also presented updates from the AI Advisory Committee and continued discussions with Kathy Dowdy about registration processes for Adult Education.
The migration from Brightspace Leap to Blackboard Ultra progressed, along with ongoing development of the Systems Thinking and Project Management microcredentials. Spring Session #2 commenced on March 31st. Data highlights include 245 students enrolling through the opt-in process for the second spring semester.