Empowering Professionals for the AI-Enhanced Workplace

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a future concept—it's a present-day necessity for businesses and professionals who want to remain competitive. RSVP by June 6.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a future concept—it's a present-day necessity for businesses and professionals who want to remain competitive. This event is designed to equip local professionals with the skills, tools, and strategies needed to thrive in an AI-enhanced workplace. Whether you're exploring AI for the first time or looking to deepen your expertise, you'll gain practical insights and actionable skills you can apply immediately within your organization or career.

RSVP by June 6: https://flcc.formstack.com/forms/ai_event

Aaron Proietti is the author of the book Today’s Innovator. He is an innovation expert with nearly twenty years of experience leading innovation in fast-paced, complex organizations. He is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, coach, and strategist. He frequently speaks on topics related to driving change, innovation best practices, and technology trends. Aaron currently sits on several nonprofit boards and works closely with summer camps under the brand Shout.Camp. Aaron has served as Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Customer Advocate at Transamerica, a multi-national financial services company.

David Ghidiu, teaches in the Computing Sciences department at Finger Lakes Community College. He is also the director for the Center for Teaching and Learning. He is a champion of open content and open pedagogy. He also works hard to bring the scholarship of teaching and learning to all his endeavors. When not in class, you might find Dave at speaking engagements where he brings the perfect recipe of enthusiasm, knowledge, and empathy.

Dave is also a consultant for youth development organizations where he helps organizations align their programs to their values, innovate new programs, and introduce proven strategies for youth development and growth.

Beth McCabe is an experienced English professor and senior instructional designer with over 20 years in higher education and instructional development. Her career has included designing curriculum, training programs, and professional development initiatives for colleges, nonprofits, and corporations. Beth brings deep expertise in collaboration, course development, and strategic partnership building, with a focus on aligning educational experiences with organizational goals. Her professional interests include writing, process improvement, gamification in education, and the advancement of Open Educational Resources (OER).

Jeff Dugan has a strong connection to the Finger Lakes community, having graduated from FLCC in 2012. He later attended SUNY Buffalo State University from 2014 to 2021, where he earned his degree in Public Communications and his Master's degree in Adult Education. During his time at Buffalo State (from 2015 to 2018), he gained valuable practical experience in Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing, serving as an SEO Strategist at LocalEdge in Buffalo and CGI Communications in Rochester. In these roles, he worked with Medium and Small Businesses (MSBs) across the country, and through CGI, he also partnered with Chambers of Commerce.

Adam Heidebrink-Bruno is the Digital Content Specialist at Finger Lakes Community College. With a Ph.D. in English from Lehigh University, Adam uses rigorous academic scholarship to inform his digital communication and marketing strategies. His role involves managing content for the college website, data analysis, and search engine optimization. Adam is also a member of the college's AI Steering Committee, where he researches and experiments with emerging AI tools and technologies to remain at the forefront of transformative trends in higher education. With a passion for innovative digital solutions, Adam is eager to explore and discuss the future of higher education marketing. 

Ryan McCabe holds a B.A. in History from SUNY Potsdam (2002), an M.S. in Adult and Continuing Education from Buffalo State University (2012), and is completing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Louisiana Monroe (expected December 2026). His career in higher education began at SUNY Canton as an Online Learning Technician (2006–2008), followed by multiple leadership roles at Finger Lakes Community College, where he currently oversees curriculum development, online learning, workforce and career education, academic technology, applied learning, artificial intelligence, and adult basic education. 

Debora Ortloff is the FLCC Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Assessment. 

Keynote (9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.)

Aaron Proietti: AI in the Modern Workplace

Concurrent Session 1 (10:15 a.m - 11 a.m.)

Option 1. Prompt Writing 101 with Dave Ghidiu

Learn the basics of writing good prompts for use in a variety of case settings. 

Option 2. Accelerating Insight: Using Notebook LM to Quickly Digest Large Documents  with Ryan McCabe

This presentation introduces Notebook LM, an AI-driven tool that streamlines the way professionals engage with dense content—whether it’s market research, strategic plans, technical reports, or policy documents. 

Option 3. Creating a Comprehensive Marketing Campaign with ChatGPT with Adam Heidebrink-Bruno

You'll leave with ideas on using AI to create better brainstorming sessions, plan community or business initiatives with a broader perspective, and engage customers more effectively. 

Option 4.  Using AI Tools to Gain Data Insights  with Debora Ortloff

In this session we will explore how to use Chat GPT and Claude to process and find insights in large data sets.  We will work on combining data from different sources to move ahead more quickly to decision making. 

Concurrent Session 2 (11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m.)

Option 1. Prompt Writing 2.0 with Aaron Proietti

Take what you learned in 1.0 or bring your own knowledge on prompt writing and kick it up a notch—looking at more complex prompts and how to apply them in case uses.

Option 2. Talent Acquisition: Improve the Hiring Process Using AI with Beth McCabe

In this session, we’ll explore how employers can leverage AI tools to craft job descriptions, screen resumes, and evaluate candidates more efficiently. We’ll also look at how job seekers are using AI.

Option 3. Leveraging AI in Search Engine Optimization with Jeff Dugan

This session offers a practical guide to optimizing your online presence efficiently using AI.  

Option 4. Building Perspective through AI Personas and Simulated Focus Groups with Adam Heidebrink-Bruno

You'll leave with ideas on using AI to create better brainstorming sessions, plan community or business initiatives with a broader perspective, and engage customers more effectively. 

Lunch and Learn Together (12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Join us for lunch in the cafe with facilitated conversations at each table about how AI is being used at your organization

Bonus Session with Aaron Proietti (1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m)---vote on which topic you would most like to see offered:

• Map the Moments That Matter: Improving the Customer Experience 
• Finding Your Niche in a Changing World 
• AI for Creative Thinking: Design Better Ideas, Faster 
• Making Work Easier: Everyday Tasks AI Can Help With 
• AI-Powered Problem Solving: Try It, Tweak It, Test It

Alumni & Giving