2026 AI Innovator in Education Award

Practice before the room

Crystal Rhynes

Southwestern Community College

Workforce Readiness

Ethical Simulation-Based Workforce Training Model—using AI for virtual human simulations that prepare students for real-world client interactions, with guided reflection and instructor feedback across Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary.

• Virtual human simulations for client work
• Guided reflection and instructor feedback
• Workforce-ready training including Qualla Boundary