Benedict College

Project Purpose:benedict College's Connecting Minority Communities & Innovation Initiative Pilot Program Will Decrease the Digital Divide for College Students and Members of the Targeted Anchor Communities by Improving It Infrastructure Through the Installation Hotspot Towers, Increasing Student Academic Achievement, Increasing Graduation and Retention Rates at the College, and Improving Adult Learning and Job Readiness Through the Development of a Community Learning Center and Loan Device Program.activities: the Benedict College Connecting Minority Communities & Innovation Initiative Will Be Executed in Two Distinct Phases: (1) Infrastructure and (2) Community Engagement. Phase One (1) Will Consist of Expanding Benedict College's Broadband Capacity and Access for Students, Faculty, and Staff by Upgrading the Internal Wi-fi Infrastructure to Support Higher Level Network Security and Access. Phase Two (2) Focuses on Community Engagement and Consists of Establishing a Community Learning Center and Loaner Device Program for the Target Population to Increase Student Academic Achievement, Retention, and Graduation Rates. the Community Learning Center Will Provide Participants With Three Activities: a Computer Resource Lab and Educational and Training Opportunities. Educational Opportunities Such as Workshops and Training Will Be Offered Through the Community Learning Center as an Effort to Increase Participants? Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills Regarding Computer Technology. the Loaner Device Program for Low-income Students Will Allow Benedict College to Provide Personal Devices and Other Needed Equipment to Decrease the Digital Divide.outcomes:as a Result of Implementing the Proposed Project Activities, Low-income Students at the College Will Have High-speed Internet Access. There Will Be an Improvement in Academic Success Among Low-income Students. It Infrastructure Will Be Improved Within Four Anchor Communities. the Online and In-person Workshops for Adult Learners, Loaner Program for In-need Students, and Community Learning Center and Computer Lab for Both Students and Community Members Will Improve Technology Skills and Decrease the Digital Divide.beneficiaries:the Connecting Minority Communities & Innovation Initiative Pilot Program Will Benefit Low-income Students at Benedict College and Individuals Within Four Anchor Communities in Columbia, South Carolina. All Low-income Students at the College Will Have Access to High-speed Internet and Receive a Personal Device to Improve Their Academic Success. Adult Learners in Anchor Communities Will Benefit From Computer Training and Business Workshops to Enhance Their Knowledge of Computer Learning and Internet Use. Subrecipient Activities (if Applicable): the Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.