November 05 '25•Benjamin Demers•President Awan• nvidia• AI

Mission College President Dr. Seher Awan Featured on NVIDIA AI Podcast

Dr. Seher Awan, Mission President, with a student.
Mission College President Dr. Seher Awan is featured in the latest episode of the NVIDIA AI Podcast.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Mission College President Dr. Seher Awan is featured in the latest episode of the NVIDIA AI Podcast, sharing how the college in Santa Clara, the heart of Silicon Valley, is using artificial intelligence to close equity gaps, empower first-generation students, and reimagine the future of education.

In the episode, “Learning Together: How Students and Educators Are Harnessing AI for Success,” Dr. Awan recounts her personal journey from a first-generation college student to a higher-education leader dedicated to transforming systems of access and opportunity.
 

🎧 Listen to the full episode: nvda.ws/4hKAIlP

In the episode, “Learning Together: How Students and Educators Are Harnessing AI for Success,” Dr. Awan recounts her personal journey from a first-generation college student to a higher-education leader dedicated to transforming systems of access and opportunity.
 

“As someone who didn’t always see myself represented in higher education, I’m deeply committed to building pathways where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of thriving,” said Dr. Awan. “AI gives us the tools to scale that care to recognize needs earlier, connect students to resources faster, and ensure that no one slips through the cracks.”

Dr. Seher Awan, Mission College President, with student
Mission College President Dr. Seher Awan (right) shares how the college is using artificial intelligence to close equity gaps, empower first-generation students, and reimagine the future of education.
Under Awan’s leadership, Mission College is leveraging AI across multiple dimensions of campus life from predictive student-success dashboards to personalized academic advising and career-readiness programs co-designed with local industry partners. These initiatives enable faculty and staff to identify at-risk students in real time, deploy timely interventions, and foster meaningful connections ensuring that data serves as a bridge to equity, not a barrier.
 

“Technology by itself doesn’t change lives,” Awan said. “It’s how we use technology, grounded in empathy and community, that creates transformation. At Mission, AI amplifies the human touch, it does not replace it.”

Dr. Awan also highlighted Mission College’s partnership with NVIDIA. Mission College is the first community college in California to have faculty certified and trained by NVIDIA and have college curriculum mapped to NVIDIA certifications. Students at Mission not only receive a certificate in AI upon course completion, but are also ready to be certified and enter into careers with industry-level certifications.
 
Located in the innovation capital of the world, Mission College continues to position itself at the forefront of educational change. Through strategic partnerships, interdisciplinary learning, and data-informed equity initiatives, the college is cultivating a model of higher education where innovation and inclusion work hand-in-hand.
 
Key highlights shared by Dr. Awan about the work being done at Mission include:
 
  • AI-Infused Academic Advising: Early-alert systems that personalize support and improve retention rates.
  • Equity-Driven Analytics: Data-guided decision-making to close opportunity gaps for historically underserved populations.
  • Student-Faculty Co-Design: Collaborative curriculum development that integrates student voice into institutional planning.
  • Career Alignment: Partnerships with Silicon Valley employers to ensure programs remain relevant in a rapidly changing workforce.
Awan’s leadership embodies a growing movement in higher education, one that blends compassion, innovation, and courage to redefine what’s possible for community college students.
 

“Mission College stands as proof that innovation belongs to everyone,” she said. “By combining AI with heart, we’re not just preparing students for the future. We’re empowering them to create it.”

The full conversation with Awan is available now on the NVIDIA AI Podcast, accessible on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major streaming platforms.
 
Benjamin Demers
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
[email protected] 
About Mission College

Mission College is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to succeed.

With a commitment to student success, equity, and innovation, Mission College offers a diverse range of academic programs, exceptional faculty, and supportive services to foster a thriving educational community. 


Learn More About Mission
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