Project purpose:the american baptist college (ABC) connecting minority communities pilot program project aims to improve the technological capabilities of american baptist college, identify the…

Project purpose:the american baptist college (ABC) connecting minority communities pilot program project aims to improve the technological capabilities of american baptist college, identify the 'digital deserts' in a 15-mile radius of the college, aid those communities, and improve the technological services provided to students at american baptist college and to many others in the surrounding area. The project will allow for an increase in developed technologies for proper usage and will help to mediate and eradicate what are known as 'digital deserts' or 'dead zones' in the anchor communities.activities:the project's plan includes the following activities: 1) upgrade the college's campus technologies and digital capabilities; 2) provide equipment and training to students, staff and faculty; 3) directly target needed digital access and services in technologically-starved areas of the community and expand its existing outreach programs; 4) deliver educational and support classes to all program users; and 5) hire staff and buy equipment for training centers, both on campus and for community sites.outcomes:as a result of this project, american baptist college will make vital improvements to its campus infrastructure and technical inventory. IT will upgrade student, faculty and staff issued computing equipment, and foster an increase in the available bandwidth on campus. Furthermore, IT will support new network and smart classroom technology, and make IT possible to provide campus-wide internet access. Funding will create the opportunity for the college to hire full and part-time staff, engage students in technical work programs, and provide training courses for the entire college family to include community residents who are program users. This increase in staff will provide needed support in the IT workplace, allow for the expansion of the college's outreach programs, and aid the college in student support services. Digital learning in parallel with online course delivery will help with student retention and recruitment, spawning increases in enrollment. The grant will also enable the college to serve as a technology hub for anchor communities and the families living in residences within a 15-mile radius of the campus. Beneficiaries:the project will benefit students, staff, and faculty members of american baptist college (ABC) in nashville, tennessee. The project will also benefit ABC's anchor communities within the middle tennessee ymca organization. The increase in broadband participation will mitigate the issue of the 'digital deserts' or 'dead zones' in the anchor communities.subrecipient activities:the recipient does not intend to subaward funds.