From Curiosity to Confidence: Celebrating Our First Grow with Google AI Scholarship Cohort
Over four months, 51 professionals from 11 organizations came together to explore practical, responsible applications of AI in adult education and workforce development—earning certificates, building confidence, and preparing for the future of work.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we learn, work, and connect. For adult education and workforce organizations, that shift presents both opportunities and important questions: How do we prepare staff and learners for an evolving workplace? How do we embrace innovation while keeping people at the center of our work?
Through our partnership with Grow with Google, scaleLIT launched its first AI Scholarship Cohort to help answer those questions in practical and equitable ways.
What began in April with 11 participating organizations became a powerful example of what is possible when we invest in lifelong learning and create opportunities to explore emerging technologies together.
Over four months, professionals across Illinois dedicated time to learning how artificial intelligence can strengthen their work—from improving communication and streamlining administrative tasks to supporting workforce development strategies and enhancing services for adult learners.
More importantly, they demonstrated that when adult education professionals are given the tools, support, and time to learn, they are eager to embrace innovation thoughtfully and responsibly.
By the Numbers
Our inaugural Grow with Google AI Scholarship Cohort included:
51 participating professionals
11 adult education and workforce organizations
More than 265 courses completed
More than 410 total learning hours completed
48 learners actively making progress in their coursework
10 participants completed all 13 specialization courses offered through the program
Behind every number is an educator, workforce professional, case manager, program coordinator, or community leader investing in their own learning so they can better support the individuals and communities they serve.
Learning That Leads to Action
This cohort was about much more than earning certificates. Participants explored practical applications of AI that they can immediately bring back to their organizations and communities.
For some, the experience transformed hesitation into confidence.
"Thank you! Doing the Grow With Google AI Champion was truly a door to a new world! Having clear explanations and practice helped me understand that AI is something that can be used as a tool in the workplace."
– Nicole Ruggiero, Community Literacy Program Specialist, Erie Neighborhood House
Others discovered new ways to support learners and families more effectively.
"The ScaleLIT AI training was a meaningful opportunity to learn how artificial intelligence can be applied in a practical way within my role as an Income Support Specialist. What I found most valuable was having hands-on exposure to tools that can actually make day-to-day work more efficient without losing the importance of a person-centered approach when working with families."
– Inci Narvaez, Income Support Specialist, Instituto del Progreso Latino
Participants shared that the program helped them become more comfortable using AI tools responsibly while identifying ways to save time, communicate more effectively, and focus more deeply on the people they serve.
For Inci, that means using AI to help prepare documents, simplify complex information for clients, and reduce time spent on administrative tasks, allowing more time to focus on direct support and connecting families with the resources they need.
For Jonathan Meter of Pui Tak Center, the experience sparked an ongoing commitment to learning and innovation.
"The specializations offered through the Grow With Google scholarship took me from zero to one in terms of using AI to automate daily tasks. Now I am encouraged to earn more certifications and continue streamlining my work. Thanks, ScaleLIT!"
– Jonathan Meter, ESL Transition Coordinator, Pui Tak Center
And for Angela Smith of Hunger Free America, the learning extended beyond the workplace:
"I earned Google AI Essentials, Google Prompting Essentials, Accelerate Your Job Search with AI, and Google AI Professional certificates. What was most impactful for me was having the opportunity to apply my learning to my career, the nonprofit organization for which I serve as Board President, and even personal matters."
– Angela M. Smith, Project Director, Hunger Free America
These stories reinforce an important truth: responsible AI adoption isn't about replacing people—it's about empowering them. Whether participants are supporting job seekers, teaching adult learners, coordinating programs, or providing direct services, they are finding ways to use AI as a practical tool that enhances rather than replaces human-centered work.
Building Capacity for the Future of Work
This cohort was never simply about learning how to use AI tools.
It was about building capacity across Illinois's adult education and workforce systems to thoughtfully engage with one of the most significant workforce shifts of our time.
At scaleLIT, we believe preparing adult learners for the future of work also means preparing the professionals who support them. By translating a global technology shift into practical, accessible learning opportunities, we can ensure innovation remains equitable, inclusive, and grounded in the realities of our communities.
This first cohort demonstrated that AI readiness is not reserved for the technology sector. Adult education and workforce professionals are already identifying meaningful ways these tools can support teaching, service delivery, program administration, and career advancement.
The enthusiasm, commitment, and curiosity demonstrated throughout this cohort reinforce what we have always known—adult education professionals are lifelong learners, too.
Looking Ahead
While our first scholarship cohort has concluded, this work is only beginning.
We are excited to announce that applications for the next Grow with Google AI Scholarship opportunity will open on August 1, 2026. Unlike our inaugural cohort, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, creating more opportunities for organizations and professionals across Illinois to participate.
Whether you are just beginning to explore AI or looking to deepen your understanding of how these tools can support your work, we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of learners.
Thank You
Thank you to every organization and participant who joined us for our inaugural Grow with Google AI Scholarship Cohort. Your willingness to explore new ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and invest time in learning is helping shape what responsible AI integration can look like across adult education and workforce development.
We are also grateful to Grow with Google for partnering with scaleLIT to make this opportunity possible and for investing in professionals committed to creating more equitable pathways to opportunity.
While this cohort may have come to a close, the work continues. Together, we are building a future where innovation is accessible, learning is lifelong, and every adult learner—and every professional who supports them—is prepared to thrive in a changing world.
