National education leader Bill Daggett to keynote 2024 North Carolina Community College System Conference, exploring AI and its impact

The North Carolina Community College System is hosting its biennial conference October 13-15 in Raleigh under the theme, “The Extraordinary 58: Paving the Way for Economic Mobility and Successful Futures.” This year’s conference will feature a variety of workshops and breakout sessions to offer attendees a diverse selection of professional development opportunities. 
 
“The conference is designed to be an engaging and informative experience to enhance attendees’ professional development and support student success. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, share best practices, and collaborate with colleagues from across the state,” said Dr. Jennifer McLean, State Director of Advising & Coaching at the North Carolina Community College System, and Conference Co-Chair. 
 
Highlighting the event is keynote speaker, Dr. Bill Daggett, a national leader in education. Daggett is the founder of the Successful Practices Network and the International Center for Leadership in Education. Daggett is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move preK-12 education systems towards more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students.  

“Dr. Daggett’s experience as a teacher and educational administrator will resonate well with faculty, staff, and administrators across our System,” said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at the System. “He will challenge us to be future focused with the programs and training opportunities we offer across North Carolina in support of a workforce system driven by Artificial Intelligence.” 
 
Daggett will present “The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications for Education.”  He will offer strategies that will allow attendees to employ AI as their co-pilot and free them from time-consuming tasks. Daggett will also describe how AI will increasingly impact the workplace, home, and society, which will cause a major shift in the skills, knowledge, and attributes students will need to be successful beyond school. 
 
“Community colleges are best positioned to meet the shifting goals and priorities of business, industry, and their employees,” Daggett said. “Community colleges have a long history of working directly with business and industry to meet their short- and long-term needs, and AI provides an opportunity to expand that support.” 
 
Faculty and staff from all 58 institutions across North Carolina are invited to attend. Participants are encouraged to register before September 24 to take advantage of early bird pricing. The conference promises to be a significant opportunity for professional development and networking within the community college system.  
 
“I am really excited about our NC Community College System Conference this year.  As educational institutions it is essential that we take time out to foster our own learning, and this conference provides a great opportunity for our faculty and staff to learn from each other as well as national experts in key areas such as the impact of Artificial Intelligence on business, industry and education,” said System President Dr. Jeff Cox. 
 
For more information about the conference, a tentative schedule, registration forms, and accommodations, visit the event page.