The sinclair analytics incubator: fusing advanced analytics, AI education, and data for good initiatives

Grant Summary

Sinclair Community College received a $553,836 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076), effective July 15, 2025, through June 30, 2028. The Sinclair Analytics Incubator project will develop and implement eight new courses and two certificate programs in data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), specifically tailored to meet industry demands in Southwest Ohio. The curricula will integrate technical training, practical experience, and ethical decision-making frameworks, with a focus on aligning educational offerings with evolving workforce requirements in advanced technology sectors.

The project will deliver hands-on educational experiences through internships, apprenticeships, and practicums designed to enhance student employability and increase the number of technicians with advanced technology skills. Additionally, Sinclair Community College will conduct comprehensive assessment of curriculum effectiveness and student outcomes, with findings disseminated through academic publications and industry collaborations. This initiative addresses national workforce development priorities while contributing to broader knowledge regarding the alignment of education with technological advancement.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving access to artificial intelligence and data analytics education, supporting the growth of a highly skilled workforce in advanced technology sectors, and ensuring alignment with evolving industry demands. The project intends to support a structured combination of technical training, practical experience, and ethical decision-making, encouraging students to apply their technical skills to real-world challenges. The project's broader significance includes addressing national workforce demands, enhancing student employability, and building on existing initiatives at the institution while drawing from successful models and partnering with leading institutions. The project seeks to develop and implement curricula for eight new courses and two certificates that are aligned with the industry and tailored to the specific needs of the data analytics and artificial intelligence sectors in southwest ohio. Project goals include increasing the number of technicians with advanced technology skills and providing hands-on internships, apprenticeships, and practicums. The project intends to assess the effectiveness of the new curricula, evaluate student outcomes, and disseminate findings through academic publications and industry collaborations. By addressing the evolving needs of the industry, this project expects to generate new knowledge and practices, contributing to the broader understanding of how to align education with technological advancements. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.