Austin Community College District (ACC) was awarded a $40,000 grant from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Dell Technologies, and Intel, as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Incubator Network, an initiative to design and build AI incubators in community colleges and technical schools across the country.
ACC will use the funds to develop a new AI incubator at ACC Highland. The new lab will support curriculum development for several high-demand programs, including nursing, allied health, and accounting. Faculty in these programs will have both in-person and virtual engagement opportunities to learn how to build AI components into their classroom and coursework.
“Austin is a hub for high tech, and ACC is on the forefront of making sure our students learn digital fluency. I am proud of the work the college has done to collaborate across disciplines to transform how learning takes place,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC Chancellor. “We are honored to add this initiative to our growing list of achievements join other colleges who share in this vision to revolutionize higher education.”
“AI has become an increasingly important focus for community colleges as providers of workforce education for multiple industries,” says Walter G. Bumphus, Ph.D., AACC President and CEO. “Working together with peers and across sectors will enhance the ability of our colleges to advance and scale this curriculum across the nation to ensure that students earn the skills needed to fill these jobs and begin meaningful careers.”
ACC’s AI incubator will initially focus on curriculum development for Health Sciences and Accounting courses. Future plans look to roll out the program for all areas of study throughout the college. Faculty interested in adding an AI component to their courses are encouraged to contact Gretchen Riehl to learn more.
ACC is one of only 15 colleges nationwide selected to receive the special grant funding to develop an AI incubator.
For more information about the program visit the AACC website.
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