Southeast Community Collegewas awarded a $40,000 grant from the American Association of
Community Colleges, Dell Technologies and Intel, as part of the Artificial Intelligence Incubator Network Initiative. The funds will go toward building a hybridized AI incubator in both
virtual and on-campus scenarios for greater access to AI computing power, tools
and resources, aiming to foster the skills needed for future jobs. Fifteen
colleges were selected based on criteria determined by AACC, Dell Technologies
and Intel.
“SCC
is the first community college in the state of Nebraska to join the AI
Incubator Network, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to help better
support the future needs of industry while also providing increased access to
AI pathways in our 15-county service area,” said Caleb Herwick, Dean of
Construction, Manufacturing, Electronics & Technology at SCC.
In January 2022, AACC, Dell Technologies and
Intel announced a joint commitment to grow Intel’s AI for Workforce Program from 18 states to 50 by 2023. In addition to
receiving the grant, SCC has also joined the AI Incubator Network to connect
with community colleges across the nation on strategic economic development
opportunities, participate in discussions about learning pathways, strategize
on student engagement in AI programs, and gather best practices from each other
and industry leaders.
“Today’s students will enter a technology workforce where
every organization will focus in some capacity on applying AI to solving
problems and creating value for organizations,” said Carlos Contreras, Senior
Director of AI and Digital Readiness at Intel. “Intel is excited to partner
with the AACC and Dell Technologies to democratize AI technology and enable
students to enter that workforce with AI experience.”
SCC is
preparing to break ground on the Sandhills Global Technology Center, a state-of-the-art
technology facility on the Lincoln Campus.
“Our goal for
this new building is for it to be a destination for learners of all types to
come and experiment, learn and really just get excited about the amazing
technology related opportunities that are out there, and we feel like this AI
initiative is just the first step toward accomplishing that goal,” Herwick
said.
Once the AI lab is completed, students are encouraged to contact
Kim Waswick for more information at 402-437-2490 or kwaswick@southeast.edu. There is no prior tech or coding knowledge
needed, only foundational math skills.
For more
information on this grant, contact Rachael McLeod at rmcleod@southeast.edu or 402-323-3410.