2209C13022

Project Purpose: The Southern University Law Center (SULC) Creating Digital Leaders Plan aims to provide access and opportunity to a diverse group of students through the expansion of broadband access. The improvement to broadband infrastructure will aid in the development of digital skills training to address the high poverty rates of the surrounding area and the lack of access to digital literacy resources.

Activities: SULC's Creating Digital Leaders Plan intends to conduct the following activities:

1. Build the broadband infrastructure and IT capacity of SULC and the Southern University campus to support over 9,000 individuals.
2. Partner with the College of Business to build skills and IT workforce capacity through STEAM programs offered to community organizations such as high schools, churches, community centers, libraries, and members of the community.
3. Stimulate the adoption and community use of broadband services by accessing tele-law via the clinical legal programs, with a concentration on disaster preparedness, business formation and entrepreneurship, and business technical assistance for thousands of individuals.
4. Provide need-based students with the resources needed to compete in a digital age.
5. Provide subsidized broadband access and technology equipment to low-income and in-need high schools, churches, community centers, libraries, and members of the community.

Outcomes: As a result of implementing the project activities, the Creating Digital Leaders Plan will provide SULC, Southern University A&M College, and the surrounding community institutions with the abilities to enable digital learning and innovative experiences. It will also expand broadband access for the students, faculty, and community members. This digital engagement, made possible through acquired technology, will spur expanded broadband access and connectivity, increase economic growth, establish community safety, and empower in-need students and low-income community members for STEAM careers.

Beneficiaries: The project overall will benefit students, staff, and faculty members of SULC, as well as anchor community members in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. The improved broadband infrastructure and IT capacity of SULC and the Southern University campus will support individuals and create digital leaders through STEAM programs made available to college and high school students. The project will also stimulate the adoption and community use of broadband services for thousands of individuals in the anchor communities. Need-based students will receive the resources needed to compete in a digital age. Additionally, low-income and in-need community-serving organizations such as high schools, churches, community centers, libraries, and members of the community will benefit from subsidized broadband access and technology equipment.

Subrecipient Activities: The recipient does not sub-award funds.

Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical College

11.028 - Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

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

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-0001 United States

Single Zip Code

None

COVID-19 $3,029,485 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.