Seven Higher-Ed Institutions Awarded Millions for New Tech

Seven universities and colleges throughout the state have been awarded millions in grants from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to increase technology, upgrade broadband connectivity, improve remote learning capabilities and establish digital skills training programs.

The $268 million grant program, overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, provides funding to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to purchase broadband Internet access service and to hire and train IT personnel.

Below is a breakdown of recently awarded grants to several universities and colleges across the state:

• Prairie View A&M University has been awarded $3 million for smart technology, staff training, infrastructure upgrades, virtual reality classrooms, digital skills training programs and purchasing laptops for students in need.
• Paul Quinn College has been awarded $2,999,677 to provide loaner laptops to students, hire an IT director and strengthen IT staff expertise.
• South Texas College has been awarded $2,850,148 to upgrade fiber-optic bandwidth connectivity and expand remote learning opportunities through desktop virtualization software. Classroom equipment and infrastructure will also be upgraded.
• Sul Ross State University has been awarded $2,770,417 to upgrade wiring for distant learning classrooms, firewall improvements, switch upgrades and a pilot program to distribute laptops to students in need.
• University of Houston-Downtown has been awarded $2,470,225 to expand its bilingual e-library to support literacy awareness and connectivity among the Hispanic community through digital skills, inclusion, literary training and technology services.
• Texas College was also awarded $2,152,778 to provide broadband access and equipment at a discounted or subsidized rate to residents of Tyler, and to provide IT training for small businesses in the community as well as faculty training and online broadband education for students.
• Our Lady of the Lake University has been awarded $2,246,173 to improve remote learning opportunities, increase broadband access and train faculty on specific curriculum design and pedagogical tools for online and remote courses.
• Jarvis Christian University has been awarded $1,183,089 to upgrade its wireless infrastructure, increase hybrid and online course offerings, provide personal devices and Wi-Fi hot spots and install computer stations.