Project purpose: through the investing in student success and increasing minority workforce participation program, oklahoma state university institute of technology (osuit) aims to to be a proactive…

Project purpose: through the investing in student success and increasing minority workforce participation program, oklahoma state university institute of technology (osuit) aims to to be a proactive participant within its community to decrease the digital divide and enhance access to broadband services as well as increase the talent pipeline for oklahoma's telecommunications industry. IT will address two critical issues being faced by oklahoma's rural communities: (1) the availability of broadband services in oklahoma's low-income communities, and 2) a lack of skilled workers and high-quality training programs available for fiber technicians in oklahoma's low-income, rural communities. Activities: oklahoma state university institute of technology (osuit) will: (1) provide low-income/in-need students and community members with access to broadband internet service through broadband equipment (hotspots) and subsidized broadband services to eligible individuals; and (2) develop and implement an advanced fiber technician training program, with an emphasis on training for indigenous peoples and other minority populations within the identified communities, to increase the talent pipeline of skilled fiber technicians within oklahoma's broadband industry. Outcome:the oklahoma state university institute of technology (osuit) investing in student success and increasing minority workforce participation program will improve student services by providing minority communities with broadband services and equipment and will increase the talent pipeline of fiber technicians through the development and implementation of the advanced workforce training program. The implementation of osuit?s advanced fiber technician training program will elevate public interest in broadband and increase high-wage jobs in rural communities.beneficiaries:the proposed program will directly impact minority communities in oklahoma state university institute of technology (osuit)'s anchor community in okmulgee, oklahoma through the purchase of broadband services and hotspots for low-income/at-need students and community members as well as develop and implement a workforce training program to enhance the fiber technician workforce. Individuals will receive access to internet services and equipment and individuals will obtain advanced, technical skills training in a high-wage industry. Subrecipient activities (if applicable): the recipient does not intend to sub-award funds.