Hi KS,
Great to hear you'll be exploring Wikipedia in your class. I do hope you share your experience with us (and your students).
Regarding IRC - one way that you can log on easily is to utilize this link:
http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=#wikimedia-gendergap
Any problems, do let me/us know :)
While I do not participate in the campus ambassador program, your regional ambassador (if you have one?) should be able to put you in touch with other professors. If you're unable to make any contacts, let me know (offlist perhaps) and I can put you in touch with someone who can perhaps provide you support.
-Sarah