Collaborative research: strengthening the capacity of community college faculty to integrate artificial intelligence in stem education

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded the University of Hawaii $645,000 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to strengthen community college faculty capacity in artificial intelligence and data science education.

The project develops and delivers a structured professional development model combining self-directed study, online coursework, and individualized mentorship from practicing data science and AI professionals to faculty cohorts at Windward Community College and Kapi'olani Community College. The initiative pursues three primary objectives: integrating data science and applied AI concepts across STEM curricula by equipping faculty with current tools and frameworks; promoting industry-academia collaboration through mentor-guided, hands-on AI applications addressing regional workforce needs; and bridging community college education and industry through sustained partnerships and an annual symposium connecting faculty, students, and employers. The project is supported by the Institute for Future Intelligence and a network of local AI experts. Assessment and evaluation will track outcomes throughout the period of performance.

Work is performed in Honolulu, Hawaii. The award runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, as a Project Grant.

Abstract

This project will strengthen the nation's skilled technical workforce by empowering community college faculty across all stem disciplines to confidently integrate applied artificial intelligence (AI) and data science into their teaching and research. By building the capacity of educators at windward community college and kapi'olani community college, which serve a broad range of learners in hawaii, the project will expand access to high-quality AI education and create a pipeline of AI-literate graduates prepared for careers in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven economy. Through faculty professional development, mentoring partnerships with local AI industry experts, and community outreach to K?12 educators, the project will foster meaningful collaboration between academia and industry while advancing the national interest in a broadly skilled, ethically grounded technical workforce. The goals of this project center on developing and delivering a structured professional development model that blends self-directed study, online coursework, and individualized mentorship from practicing data science and AI professionals. The scope encompasses faculty cohorts from two university of hawaii system community colleges, supported by the institute for future intelligence and a network of local AI experts. The project will pursue three primary objectives: (1) integrating data science and applied AI concepts across stem curricula by equipping faculty with current tools, frameworks, and expertise; (2) promoting industry?academia collaboration through mentor-guided, hands-on AI applications directly relevant to regional workforce needs; and (3) bridging the GAP between community college education and industry through sustained partnerships and an annual symposium that connects faculty, students, and employers. Assessment and evaluation will track faculty confidence, classroom integration of AI, and student workforce readiness outcomes. Dissemination will occur through open educational resources, K?12 teacher workshops led by project faculty, and national knowledge-sharing through ATE-affiliated networks. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program, which 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.