About the Event

Join host Zac Chase for a compelling conversation with Jaycee Holmes and Blanca Burch from the Spelman Innovation Lab (SIL) as they unpack the evolving intersection of technology, higher education, and workforce readiness.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries overnight, how do we ensure students are not just technical builders, but critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers? Anchored by an arts and humanities perspective, the team at SIL is redefining tech education—moving beyond rigid code syntax toward human-centered design, product management, and creative thinking.

What We’ll Explore:

• Innovation vs. Disruption: How hands-on makerspaces, bootcamps, and co-curricular programs are transforming traditional higher education.

• The AI Balance: Integrating emerging AI tools into the classroom while sharpening students' critical thinking and analytical literacy.

• Career Preparedness: Preparing students for modern tech and tech-adjacent roles through cross-disciplinary learning and project-based experience.

• Empowering Faculty: Creating supportive opportunities where educators across all disciplines can tinker, experiment, and adapt to the rapid pace of change.

About the Participants

• Jaycee Holmes-Nguyen (Guest) & Blanca Burch (Guest)

• Zac Chase (Host) 

  Zac Chase, M.A., M.Ed., is the Global Lead of Scaled Programming for Google for Education. He served as a digital equity advisor for the U.S. Department of Education, where he led the development of the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan. He has also worked as a classroom teacher, adjunct instructor, and a school & district administrator.

  Chase’s publications include the 2024 and 2016 National Educational Technology Plans, “Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education," and “School 2.0: Building the Schools We Need.” He holds a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University, and a bachelor of arts degree in English and secondary education from Illinois State University.