Marion Tech College Wins NSF Grant for AI Education

Published Date : 12/08/2025 

Marion Technical College has been awarded a $601,800 grant from the National Science Foundation to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) education for local businesses, teachers, and students. 

Marion Technical College has been awarded a significant $601,800 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance artificial intelligence (AI) education and training in the local community. The three-year grant, titled “Empowering Rural Communities: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education and Workforce Development,” will support a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing AI knowledge and skills.

The grant will be led by Principal Investigator Mike White, the associate dean of Technical Programs at Marion Tech. “AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we work and improve our effectiveness and efficiency in any organization,” White emphasized. The project will also involve Tyler Maley, director of Arts & Science, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences, and Information Technology Faculty Ks Ku. Together, they will collaborate with local high schools and industry leaders to ensure a comprehensive approach to AI education.

One of the key partnerships is with the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, which will play a crucial role in offering classes to train community and business leaders on how to leverage AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT. Heidi Jones, president of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative. “This grant will be a game-changer for our rural community by making AI accessible and approachable for everyone. By fostering a community of learning that includes educators, businesses, and local organizations, this initiative will not only shed light on AI but also equip our workforce and institutions with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy,” she said.

The grant funds will be used to train local middle and high school teachers on AI and provide AI kits for their classrooms. Additionally, the grant will support the hiring of a new faculty member at Marion Tech to develop an AI certificate program, preparing students for the growing field of AI. This new faculty member will also teach local companies how to build custom AI tools tailored to their specific needs.

Director Maley is using the grant to develop a new applied math for AI class. Faculty member Ks Ku is focusing on updating the college’s IT curriculum to better align with the latest AI advancements. “Artificial Intelligence use is growing exponentially. This grant will expand and strengthen our current STEM educational opportunities in our region. Local businesses, educators, students, and our local community will benefit from learning more about AI and how it can be used,” Maley said.

The highly competitive NSF grant was secured with the support of Mentor-Connect, an organization that helps two-year college faculty write successful grant proposals. Mentor-Connect is an ATE project led by Florence-Darlington Technical College in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges. The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for high-tech fields, and two-year community and technical colleges are the leading sources of technician education in the United States.

For over 50 years, Marion Technical College has been a cornerstone of education in the region, offering more than 50 programs and majors to help students achieve their goals. With one of the lowest tuition rates among Ohio colleges and zero textbook costs for many classes, Marion Tech is committed to providing a great return on investment for its students. Learn more about the opportunities at Marion Tech by visiting www.mtc.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the purpose of the NSF grant awarded to Marion Technical College?

A: The grant aims to enhance AI education and training for local businesses, teachers, and students in the community.

Q: Who are the key leaders involved in the AI initiative at Marion Technical College?

A: The key leaders are Principal Investigator Mike White, Director Tyler Maley, and Faculty Ks Ku.

Q: How will the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce be involved in the AI training program?

A: The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce will offer classes to train community and business leaders on how to leverage AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT.

Q: What new AI-related courses will be developed at Marion Technical College?

A: Marion Tech will develop a new applied math for AI class and an AI certificate program.

Q: How does the grant support local high schools and teachers?

A: The grant will fund training for local middle and high school teachers on AI and provide AI kits for their classrooms. 

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