Sinclair Community College to Launch AI Excellence Institute, a $5 Million Initiative Set to Redefine Learning & Innovation

With artificial intelligence poised to reshape the future of learning and work, Sinclair Community College announced a ground-breaking, three-year, $5 million initiative to establish Sinclair as a national community college leader in AI-integrated teaching and learning. The announcement was made at a press conference today in Sinclair’s Building 12 at the Dayton campus.

“Employers expect graduates with AI fluency and competency now,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, President and CEO at Sinclair Community College. “Artificial Intelligence is not a future trend…it’s a present force that is reshaping how students learn, how institutions operate, and how employers hire. Sinclair will be a national model for community colleges in harnessing AI to transform both workforce readiness, as well as teaching and learning.”

Building upon the momentum of Sinclair’s AI Action Team, as well as their pilot efforts from this past school year, Sinclair’s AI Excellence Institute will scale AI innovation in every classroom across the college – driving curricular transformation, advancing AI literacy amongst faculty and students, and reimagining instruction for an AI-empowered future, as it relates to crucial workforce development.

"Sinclair College is a national leader in curriculum innovation,” said Mike Duffey, Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “The AI Excellence Institute seeds this technology across various credential and degree pathways at Sinclair College, helps faculty develop ways to use AI in their classrooms and helps ensure Sinclair graduates are AI literate far beyond the average college graduate today. I want to thank President Johnson and the team at Sinclair for embracing this new world.”

At Sinclair’s May meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution to authorize the AI Excellence Institute initiative, which is set to begin July 1, 2025. The requested $5 million budget will cover personnel, technology, curriculum development, and industry engagement. “AI Excellence at Sinclair” is part of the framework for a strategic plan to guide Sinclair through the 2027 school year. This strategic plan includes two (2) additional pillars; “Unlocking Opportunity,” which serves to advance research to ensure more students enter and complete academic programs that lead directly to jobs paying a family sustaining wage, as well as “Mitigating Learning Loss,” which will see the launch of “Sinclair Promise 2030,” a $1.7 million collegewide initiative focused on institutional readiness, innovative retention practices, and comprehensive student guidance.

During Sinclair’s strategic planning process, Artificial Intelligence (AI) had surfaced with the college, and within external partners, as a significant issue to address in higher education. A taskforce at Sinclair studied, assessed, and recommended a way to address AI in both teaching and learning, as well as operational support. The AI Excellence Institute is a focused initiative to drive organizational restructuring, curriculum transformation, and building the tech infrastructure to support operations.

“Over the past year, Sinclair has undertaken a comprehensive strategic planning process, engaging with more than 1,000 stakeholders,” said Dr. Melissa Tolle Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advancement at Sinclair. “Their voices have shaped our direction, and today’s announcement is a direct result of that collective vision.”

In a breakthrough year for artificial intelligence at Sinclair, eLearning and faculty partners built on the work of the AI Action Team to broaden engagement and spark innovation. The objectives of the AI Excellence Institute going forward will be to redefine AI in the classroom as a transformative opportunity, embed Meta-AI skills into curriculum and learning outcomes, integrate AI as a learning partner, develop AI competency for faculty and staff, utilize AI-powered personalized learning and student support, and improve AI workforce readiness through industry and community engagement.

“The AI Excellence Initiative will deliver measurable returns on investment in four key areas; student success, faculty and staff efficiency, employer alignment, and operational efficiencies,” said Dr. Christina Amato, Dean of Sinclair’s eLearning Division. “This work will position Sinclair as a leader in the most advanced, scalable eLearning curriculum design and workforce areas, preparing students for an AI-powered future.”

Since FY19, Sinclair Community College has awarded more degrees and certificates than any other community college in Ohio. While Sinclair enrolls roughly 14% of Ohio community college (CCP) students, it produces 23% of Ohio’s degree and certificate completers, making this #1 in Ohio. On average, students at Sinclair who earn an associate’s degree, go on to earn $20,000 more per year their first year after graduation.

Sinclair’s Workforce Development offers a wide array of innovative, high-value programs and services in not only AI, but Advanced Manufacturing, Industry Credentials, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Organizational and Professional Development, Emerging Markets, Leadership, Information Technology, Online Learning, and more.

Sinclair’s eLearning Division and Innovation Lab are located inside Building 4 at the Dayton campus. Learn more about Sinclair’s eLearning Division by visiting their website.

Pictured (L to R):  Dr. Christina Amato, Sinclair Board Chair Mr. Bruce Feldman, President Steve Johnson, Dr. Melissa Tolle, Sinclair Trustee Mr. Joe Sciabica

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