Alison Gurganus

Dr. Alison Gurganus helps colleges turn AI curiosity into responsible, equity-driven practice. She is an Innovation & Emerging Technology Faculty Specialist for the San Diego Community College District and the Online Services Librarian at San Diego Mesa College. Statewide, she serves as an AI Special Advisor and is a member of the AI Council for the California Community College Chancellors Office where she supports Vision 2030 efforts on “Generative AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning.” Additionally, she is the President of the Council of Chief Librarians for the California Community Colleges, Across California, she leads AI literacy initiatives and communities of practice that give educators practical tools, clear guardrails, and research-informed strategies for classroom and operational use. Her work spans district-wide professional learning, survey research on AI adoption, bias-aware and accessibility-minded practices, privacy and data security training, and the development of resources such as an AI syllabus policy creator to help faculty set transparent expectations with students. She is also involved with the Equitable AI Alliance alongside SDSU and UC San Diego to expand inclusive, evidence-based approaches to AI. A frequent presenter and workshop facilitator throughout the state, Alison connects local pilots to system-wide strategy and policy. She holds an EdD in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University and an MLIS from San José State University, and brings nearly two decades of information-literacy leadership to the AI moment.