伊丽莎白市, NC – 阿尔伯马尔学院 (COA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $700,000 Digital Champion grant as part of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Office of Digital Equity and Literacy initiative. 这个格兰特, 由联邦美国救援计划法案资助, will provide much-needed digital support to underserved communities with high-speed internet access, 数字设备, 数字扫盲资源.
Dr. 杰克Bagwell, 阿尔伯马尔学院院长, 共享, “This funding will not only significantly enhance our efforts to support digital inclusion within our community, but it also holds the potential to transform lives. By providing essential digital resources and training, we can empower more individuals to participate fully in the digital age, improving their educational and economic opportunities.”
“阿尔伯马尔学院 serves seven rural counties in North Carolina and is focused on enhancing digital accessibility, 读写能力, 以及学生的技能, including underrepresented groups and incarcerated individuals at Pasquotank Correctional Institution,”医生说。. Kimberly Gregory, COA Director of Career and College Readiness. “This initiative aims to prepare a future-ready workforce, 缩小数字鸿沟, and ensure equitable digital access and opportunities for the community. We are extremely grateful for this grant award and look forward to seeing the positive impact across our region.”
COA将杠杆化这700美元,拨款6万元，以改善数码服务, 扩展设备可用性, 加强数字技能培训. The comprehensive approach will utilize new and existing resources and partnerships to achieve the following goals:
- Increase Accessibility and Usability of Online Digital Content
- Personalize and make digital content accessible, interactive, and bilingual.
- Support major international languages to bridge the digital divide.
- 设备扩容和补充
- Expand the device loaner program across all campuses.
- Replace outdated 设备, including at Pasquotank Correctional Institution.
- Purchase jetpack hotspots for the campus device lending program.
- 数字素养和技能培训
- Offer at least three digital 读写能力 skills classes per year.
- Provide no-cost digital skills classes with 125 设备 available for training.
In a press release recently issued by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), 州长罗伊·库珀表示, “All North Carolinians need the resources and skills to safely and effectively use high-speed internet and benefit from the opportunities it offers. Digital Champion grants will help more families take part in our increasingly digital world to work, 学习, 获得重要的远程保健服务, 并在网上与他人联系.”
阿尔伯马尔学院 is among 63 organizations across North Carolina to receive this grant. This initiative will specifically target low-income households, 农村居民, 老化的个人, justice-involved个人, 退伍军人, 残疾人士, 有语言障碍的人士, 以及种族或少数民族群体的成员.
吉姆·韦弗, NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, also noted the impact of these grants in the NCDIT press release, “With firsthand knowledge of their communities’ needs, these grantees will help us build digital equity so everyone in the state can take part in the modern digital economy.”
除了数字冠军奖之外, COA is actively participating in the Digital Navigator Project, a federally funded initiative aimed at promoting digital equity and inclusion. 通过这个项目, COA is training personnel as digital navigators to assist students in securing resources and referrals for internet connection, 设备, 以及数字技能培训. This effort further highlights COA’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring all community members have the tools and skills necessary for success in today’s digital world.
For more information on the Digital Champion grants and to see a full list of awardees, please visit ncbroadband.gov / digital-champion-grantees.
For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or (电子邮件保护).