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The funding, which was awarded in May by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program via the National Institute of Standards and Technology, would be used to purchase 350 hot spots, install new fiber optics and, in general, upgrade its connectivity for all campuses.
The grant will allow the college to increase Internet service across all STC campuses, said Vice President of Information Services, Planning, Performance and Strategic Initiatives David Plummer in a release.
“We’re leveraging our funds and what others are doing to expand on our technical and digital infrastructure,” Plummer said. “Our goal is that our students will have the best quality infrastructure that supports their learning and academic goals. This grant is going to help us make this possible.”
Plummer also said the grant will allow STC to develop and implement upgrades and new technology much faster.
“It’s been quite the process, but with collaboration and support from our leadership and board of trustees, we’re making these advancements happen for the success of our students,” Plummer said. “The goal is to break the digital barrier.”
The other Texas higher ed institutions that benefited from the same grant program are:
- Prairie View A&M University: $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: $2,999,677 to provide loaner laptops to students, hire an IT director and strengthen IT staff expertise
- Sul Ross State University: with $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 with $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: $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: $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: with $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
