FAMU has received a $5.4 million two-year grant the from National Telecommunications and Information Administration to bridge the digital divide between on Tallahassee’s south side.
“This award is designed to reduce the digital divide and increase economic growth in Tallahassee by allowing students and the community members to access the Internet using FAMU’s high-speed broadband infrastructure and provide them with the necessary tools to enhance their skills and incomes,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson.
The grant will allow FAMU expand its free wireless internet network that already covers the campus into the surrounding community to creating what the university is calling the “FAM-G” high speed wireless internet enabling learning and collaboration to occur anywhere and anytime.
The six-part “Building a Digital Pipeline to Prosperity” project calls for:
- Leveraging NTIA grant funds to purchase and install the hardware and software necessary to ensure secure, comprehensive coverage accessible at all times in every building and critical outdoor spaces on campus.
- Creating a technical assistance program to ensure all campus and community stakeholders receive the support they need to be successful users of high-speed Internet and online content.
- Upgrading and relaunching the Center for Public Computing and Workforce Development on Wahnish Way to increase the digital skills and economic opportunities for students and anchor community members.
- Establishing a Pre-K to Ph.D. pipeline by creating age- and content-appropriate STEM- and digital-readiness curriculum for students at every grade level.
- Training and graduating more students across disciplines who understand data science and how data applies to their field of study, decision-making, and life.
- Conducting an evaluation of the NTIA grant to determine the effectiveness, efficiency, and short-term impact of the proposed grant activities.