0409C13028

The Phoenix College (PC) Boundless Broadband Transforming Minority Communities Project aims to improve and expand institutional broadband capacity, increase broadband access for underserved and underrepresented communities, and promote all-inclusive and online-based academic and career pathways. The goal is to connect anchor communities to high-demand and high-paying jobs in information technology, including cybersecurity, networking, and cloud computing.

The PC Boundless Broadband Transforming Minority Communities Project intends to build broadband for and increase access to underserved communities. To achieve this, PC will:

1. Expand broadband connections and training of college IT staff, student internships, and IT staffing.
2. Enable remote access to Close2Home, PC's broadband accessible remote services platform.
3. Expand broadband bandwidth at college satellite campuses.

In order to increase broadband access, PC will:

1. Establish a 24x7 coworking academic space to provide students with access to tools and hardware needed for study.
2. Create a Flex Facility (Flexible Learning Experiences) to provide students with flexible learning across multiple modalities.
3. Extend PC's laptop loaner program and grant laptops to students in need.
4. Establish a help desk providing support to students and education and awareness on broadband programs and adoption.
5. Introduce mobile learning modules to expand and create new capacity in computer science STEM education, 3D modeling, cybersecurity, eSports, and support for English second language (ESL) learners.
6. Establish a workforce curriculum for an emerging wireless market certificate program.
7. Provide laptops, broadband routers, and training in digital tools, broadband education, and awareness support for ESL students.
8. Transform digital cloud computing, web design, introduction to cybersecurity, and digital literacy certificate programs for remote education.

Over the course of the project, Phoenix College's institutional capacity will be increased ten-fold, and 800 devices will be deployed to high-need, low-income students. More than nine technology staff members will support broadband education, awareness, and support. The project will create new and convert existing open educational resource materials with recognized faculty subject matter experts across multiple program areas. It will also create a new 12-credit certificate program in emerging wireless technologies and expand PC's capacity to deliver workforce academic pathways.

Phoenix College students and faculty, as well as the anchor community in Phoenix, Arizona, will benefit from this program. Students will have increased access to devices, remote access via Close2Home, and access to a 24x7 support facility. Students in the English as Second Language program will have access to hundreds of laptops, and all students will have the ability to access a cache of hot spots for at-home and mobile use. Students will have more opportunities to connect to on-campus and remote educational resources and services.

Phoenix College faculty and staff will benefit from the expanded broadband network. Staff will gain professional skills in developing resources specifically for remote education. Minority communities in the anchor community will benefit from outreach with college services and broadband connectivity information. Anchor communities will also have expanded workforce development opportunities.

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.

Maricopa County Community College District

11.028 - Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Phoenix, Arizona 85013-4208 United States

Single Zip Code

None

COVID-19 $4,256,739 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 50% from $8,513,477 to $4,256,739.