Funded in part by a National Science Foundation grant and in partnership with the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is launching a 9-credit-hour AI Practitioner Certificate program delivered entirely in Spanish as a pilot cohort.
The program is designed to provide business owners and employees with practical AI skills without requiring a full degree. GRCC recognizes the need to remove language barriers from the classroom when teaching community members how to use AI to their benefit.
Business owners and community members can find value in the new offering, which aims to provide a foundational understanding of how to use AI in their current professional lives. The three-course cohort is designed for participants at different levels of need and experience, with the goal of building confidence and providing skills they can apply to their businesses or jobs.
Making AI More Accessible
Jonnathan Resendiz, department head and assistant professor in the Computer Information Systems department and faculty director of the AI Incubator at GRCC, is looking forward to helping students feel more confident using AI for their own applications.
“Working with AI is a mindset more than a technical ability,” Resendiz said. “People need to be willing to experiment to better understand how it works. I think people hear about AI and then become a little bit afraid of how technical it is. We want people to see that if they change their mindset around it and understand that it's a technology that is within reach, then it could be transformational. We hope to help them feel how accessible AI is through the classes.”
While GRCC currently offers certificate programs specializing in AI, this cohort will be taught entirely in Spanish. After hosting an information session through the Chamber, Resendiz and the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce saw the value a class like this could provide for business owners and professionals in Grand Rapids.
“By expanding access to AI education in Spanish, we're helping more entrepreneurs and professionals develop the skills needed to improve productivity, drive innovation and grow their businesses,” said Delfina Erochenko, associate director of business development at the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “When more businesses can adopt emerging technologies and operate more efficiently, the benefits extend beyond individual companies. It strengthens our talent pipeline, supports business growth and contributes to a more competitive and resilient Michigan economy.”
Applying AI to Real-World Needs
The final course allows participants to tailor their final project to their specific needs, whether developing solutions for their own business or finding a better way to approach their work as an employee. Both Resendiz and the Chamber hope the collaboration will serve the greater Grand Rapids community.
“Innovation is one of our core values at the Chamber, and this partnership with GRCC is part of our broader strategy to help businesses embrace emerging technologies and remain competitive,” said Erochenko. “We're proud to collaborate on the first AI certificate program ever offered by GRCC entirely in Spanish. The capstone project ensures participants don't just learn about AI; they build a practical solution they can take back to their business and apply immediately to automate tasks, streamline operations and create new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Supporting Business Growth
Resendiz views AI as an accessible tool for anyone who chooses to learn more about how to use the technology. Expanding the certificate to Spanish-speaking participants creates a more extensive opportunity to support growth in Grand Rapids' professional sector.
“We want to create an atmosphere where businesses are attracted to Grand Rapids,” said Resendiz. “We want to have businesses becoming successful, businesses that are profitable, people hiring people and elevating the center of the community. By offering this certificate program in Spanish, we hope it provides a simpler way for some business owners to access this information, no matter their background.”
Open to the Community
The cohort includes participants from a variety of business backgrounds. Some are coming from real estate, while others are small-business owners in industries such as HVAC systems and restaurants.
The classes are open to anyone in the community looking to gain a better understanding of AI and how it can apply to their professional lives.
“We have a lot of businesses from a wide variety of representation in Grand Rapids that we hope can use this technology to be more profitable, grow their businesses, and create more revenue,” said Resendiz. “I think that can benefit Grand Rapids as a whole. What’s great about the AI practitioner certificate program is that you don't have to be a business owner to benefit from it. This cohort is set up for anybody that is interested in learning how to better use AI and can earn a short certificate at the same time.”
Looking Toward the Future
Both Resendiz and the Chamber are hopeful for the pilot cohort and what it will provide for Spanish-speaking business owners and the broader community.
“Our goal is to help businesses move from curiosity to action,” said Erochenko. “We want business owners and professionals to leave this program with the confidence to use AI strategically, the skills to identify meaningful applications and a project that delivers real value from day one. That's the kind of innovation that drives long-term growth, strengthens our regional economy and helps our business community prepare for the future.”
Visit the Computer Information Systems department web page to learn more about programs and areas of study.
This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.