Keynote Address & Emeriti Reception

On April 22, 2026, at 3:00pm, FRCAE will present the annual Keynote Address and recognize our newest Emeriti Faculty.

Dr. John Delate will be presenting the Keynote Address, Leading the AI Era: Emotional Intelligence and the Future of Community Colleges.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, learn, and navigate complex problems, raising urgent questions about the mission of the community college. As AI increasingly automates bureaucratic reporting, data analysis, and other routine information tasks, much of the information historically processed in higher education is now generated faster than humans can interpret—and much of it is rarely retained. The real challenge is not AI itself, but whether higher education is prepared to embrace an emotion-informed curricular model that strengthens memory, engagement, and the distinctly human dimensions of learning. In this post-informational era, capabilities such as emotional intelligence, ethical judgment, communication, and relationship-building are central to student success, shaping their ability to lead, collaborate, and make meaningful contributions. This keynote explores how community colleges can integrate AI literacy with emotionally resonant teaching and learning, cultivating the human skills that will define work, leadership, and civic life in an AI-augmented future.

Immediately following the Keynote Address, we are pleased to recognize Dr. Yu Liu, Sal Sciandra, and Daniel Miller, whose careers reflect years of outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service, as our newly designated emeriti faculty. Their lasting contributions have shaped our students and our institution. 

All events will take place in the Learning Commons.