NITIC Showcases Round One Mini-Grant Projects and Announces Round Two Awardees
As 2025 comes to a close, the National IT Innovation Center (NITIC) would like to congratulate the first round of mini-grant recipients for completing their projects! These awardees are hosting a showcase of their projects next semester, February 6, where they’ll share high-level highlights, lessons learned, and impactful outcomes. Members can register for the Showcase here Mini-Grants Showcase – NITIC.
Building on the momentum of its first round, the National IT Innovation Center (NITIC) is excited to announce the recipients of its second round of mini-grants, awarded to member institutions leading innovative projects in emerging technology fields. This second round features eight projects whose proposals span a diverse set of focus areas. These projects reflect the creativity and commitment of educators working to expand technician-level curriculum and prepare students for the future of work.
Round Two Awardees and Projects:
Collin College
- Bilal Abu Bakr: Securing Autonomous AI-to-AI Communication through a Zero-Trust Framework
- Glenn A. Kimball: Perpetual AI Skill Development through Narrow AI Implementation for Student and Workforce Development
Cuyahoga Community College
- Matthew Crowley: GUIDE-STEM: Generative Understanding for Instructional Development and Education for STEM-Based Programs
Forsyth Tech Community College
- Thomas Brown: Forsyth Tech ITP Club – AI Explorers: A Program in Artificial Intelligence for High School Seniors and Community College Students
Kilgore College
- Karl Riley: AI Help Desk Training Environment
Lone Star College
- Vanessa Cox: Empowering 2-Year College Students to Leverage AI in Their Education and Careers
North Arkansas College
- Nell Bonds: AI-Integrated Micro Credentials for Technician-Level Programs
Sam Houston State University
- Faruk Yildiz: Enhancement, Security and Vulnerability Assessment, and Forensic Analysis of SCADA/ICS Systems
These projects represent a dynamic mix of instructional innovation, workforce development, and technology integration. NITIC is proud to support these efforts and looks forward to sharing their outcomes and impact in the coming year.
To learn more about the Mini-Grants for innovation projects, visit the webpage here Mini-Grant Projects – NITIC.