Burrito Bar: Customizing Your Own AI Professional Development

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 1:00PM–1:45PM ET | Room 552 AB
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Presentation/Panel Session
As AI rapidly transforms higher education, institutions must cultivate professional development models that are agile, relevant, and context-driven. “Burrito Bar: Customizing Your Own AI Professional Development” is an interactive panel featuring Esther Brandon Kotecha (Harvard Medical School); Lance Eaton (Northeastern University); Dana Gavin (Dutchess Community College); and Allison Papini (Bryant University). Panelists will share strategies for building AI user communities that enable peer coaching and foster collaboration with and around AI to help meet the unique needs of diverse campuses and roles. Discussion will address launching ongoing conversations, supporting digital and AI literacy, and empowering participants to lead AI growth from any position with (and without) formal authority. Attendees will gain insights from case studies that range from AI workshops and reading groups to staff and faculty learning partnerships, along with practical solutions for carving out time, facing challenges, and navigating difficult conversations. Come away with adaptable frameworks, resources, and inspiration to build meaningful AI professional development for yourself, your institution, and your community.

Presenters

  • Esther Brandon Kotecha

    Associate Director for Teaching and Learning Technologies, Harvard University

  • Lance Eaton

    Senior Associate Director of AI in Teaching and Learning, Northeastern University

  • Dana Gavin

    Director of the Writing Center, Dutchess Community College

  • Allison Papini

    Assistant Director/ Manager of Research and Instruction Services, Bryant University

Resources & Downloads

  • BurritoBar_PresentationSlides

    Updated on 6/29/2026

  • Burrito Bar_Handout

    Updated on 6/29/2026