The second annual convening is expected to draw more than 600 participants and will focus on AI, ethics, and workforce development.
AUSTIN, Texas and RESTON, Va., March 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, announces its sponsorship of the 2026 HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit, hosted by Huston-Tillotson University (HTU) in Austin, Texas, March 10″11, 2026. Ellucian will serve as a Neural Network Sponsor, supporting dialogue and learning opportunities focused on responsible AI innovation and student success. The sponsorship reflects Ellucian’s continued commitment to supporting HBCUs, serving 73% of HBCUs nationwide.
Building on Momentum from the Inaugural Summit
The 2026 conference builds on last year’s inaugural gathering, which convened representatives from 20 HBCUs and welcomed more than 400 attendees, with this year’s summit expected to expand to more than 600 participants. Programming will include mainstage conversations on responsible and ethical AI and emerging policy trends, insightful student perspectives, as well as hands-on workshops and AI-literacy sessions designed to help participants apply AI effectively and ethically across academic, community, and professional settings.
“HBCUs are showing the nation what it means to embrace AI with both urgency and intention,” said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. “In research we released last year with HTU and UNCF, 98% of HBCU students and 96% of faculty reported using AI tools. That level of engagement calls for the right governance, training, and equitable access to ensure AI is scaled responsibly and inclusively. We are proud to support the 2026 HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit and to stand alongside HBCU leaders as they define how AI can expand opportunity, strengthen learning, and accelerate workforce mobility.”
“HBCUs have long been engines of innovation, and the HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit is designed to ensure their voices help shape how this critical technology is developed, governed, and used for the greater good,” said Dr. Melva K. Wallace, President and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University. “This summit brings together higher education, industry and civic leaders to explore what responsible AI looks like in practice — and how we prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. We value Ellucian’s continued support and commitment to HBCU innovation.”
Ellucian Programming at the 2026 HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit
Ellucian will host a mainstage conversation exploring how institutions can build future-ready approaches to AI that prioritize ethics, accountability, and long-term impact. The session will highlight the role of HBCUs and other community-rooted institutions in shaping AI adoption in ways that expand opportunity, strengthen trust, and prepare graduates for an AI-shaped economy.
Ellucian will also convene a student-centered discussion that elevates how HBCU students are using AI in learning, creativity, and career preparation today. The conversation will also underscore what students want from institutions and technology partners to ensure AI is applied responsibly and in ways that reflect their lived experiences.
Learn More
For more information on the 2026 HBCU AI Conference and Training Summit and to register, visit: https://hbcuaicon.com/
WHAT IS THE HBCU AI CONFERENCE & TRAINING SUMMIT
At Huston-Tillotson University, the HBCU AI Conference & Training Summit is the national epicenter where the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities meets the limitless frontier of artificial intelligence. This annual experience amplifies HBCU students, scholars, and innovators leading the charge in tech transformation. And while HBCUs power the movement, all allies in equitable innovation are welcome to co-create the future with us. Together, academia, industry, and policymakers converge to imagine, build, and accelerate a smarter, more inclusive AI-powered world.
WHAT IS ELLUCIAN
Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian’s AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrolment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian’s innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.
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