On Friday, April 3, 2026, the Faculty Center for Learning Innovation (FCLI) hosted its inaugural Spark Tank Pitch Competition, a high-stakes "Shark Tank" style event where faculty pitched transformative teaching ideas centered on the core pillars of Innovation, Inclusion, and Creativity. Selected innovators will compete live for direct grant funding to prototype high-impact projects that bridge equity gaps and redefine the student learning experience.

About

The event was a pitching opportunity where a panel of reviewers (the "Sharks") awarded grants based on the quality of the innovation pitch (the “Sparks”).  Any faculty member of Austin Community College was invited to submit an ‘Intent to Pitch’.  Selected submissions were then be supported by a ‘Pitch Coaching’ session (held in March) to hone their presentation and defense skills.  The pitch competition day (Friday, April 3, 2026) featured live presentations and negotiations for each accepted pitch.  

The FCLI proudly funded 10 Innovative, Inclusive, and Creative Projects, 

LIVE during the ‘Spark Tank’ event!

Roots and Wings Inspired by Calpurnia Tate, presented by Anna Moreno

Library Research Award: Advancing Information Literacy by Honoring Student Research, presented by Maria Ruelas, Martha Clark, and Jorge Lopez-McKnight

Speak, Connect, Succeed: AI-Powered Language Development for Everyone, presented by Anna Moreno

Boss Mode: Managing AI Workers to Learn Real Leadership, presented by Russ Holloway

The Digital Thread: Bridging the Industry Divide Through Stackable Micro-Credentials in Digital Fluency, presented by Janie Chang and Morgan Davis

Community Clay Tiles: A Collaborative Art Installation, presented by Karen Bolton

Globalizing Community Health: Expanding Study Abroad Options for BSN Nursing, presented by Emily Grigsby, Daira Wilson, and John Nation

The Innovation: “Seeing is Believing” Outreach Initiative, presented by Elissa Mapp

College for Kids: Building a College-Going Culture in Early Childhood, presented by Anaka Rivera

Rapid Retrieval, presented by Ben Bernhard

Goal

Spark Tank turned a traditional process into a high-energy learning and networking event, aligning perfectly with the goal of embedding innovation and creativity into the professional development culture.  The Innovation, Inclusion, and Creativity (IIC) pillars include Fostering Innovation, Deepening Inclusion, Cultivating Creativity, and including a Strategy for Execution and Sustainability.

The proposals are assessed on four key criteria:

• Innovation & Creativity

• Inclusion & Equity Impact

• Scalability & Sustainability

• Budget Clarity & Persuasion

Questions

If you have any questions, please email the Faculty Center for Learning Innovation at fcli@austincc.edu.