Project purpose:virginia union university's (VUU) connecting minority communities pilot program will enhance, expand and improve broadband internet access, connectivity and digital inclusion for its…

Project purpose:virginia union university's (VUU) connecting minority communities pilot program will enhance, expand and improve broadband internet access, connectivity and digital inclusion for its campus facilities, faculty, staff, and prioritized students as well as those most in need within the anchor community. Activities:virginia union university plans to improve the campus area network with hardware and software upgrades to wireless connectivity and hire additional IT staff. The university will provide complimentary broadband internet access and loaned equipment (including laptops, tablets, hotspots, routers) for prioritized students and community partners and their patrons. The project will also offer digital skills development opportunities for prioritized students, faculty, and anchor community partners by subsidizing training or educational subscription access costs. Students and community patrons will need to take digital skills trainings prior to receiving loaner equipment. Technoloy training, certification and workforce development will be made available to both students and in-need community stakeholders. Outcomes: this project will expand wireless coverage, connectivity, and reliability on campus for VUU's students, faculty, and staff. VUU will provide subsidized broadband access and equipment to qualified low-income/in need students and communities. The university expects to see an increase among faculty and anchor community patrons in broadband usage for digital awareness and inclusion training, distance education, its support, MBE business usage, non-profit service, small business, stem and stem, telehealth, and workforce development activities. Beneficiaries: the university students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the anchor community in richmond, virginia, will benefit from the project. VUU plans to expand broadband services, access, eligible equipment, digital skills training, distance learning use and IT capacity on the main campus as well as to those most in need throughout the anchor community. Subrecipient activities (if applicable): the recipient does not intend to subaward funds.