Lane College

This project will update the broadband network at Lane College and develop the college’s Dream and Innovation Center – a new workforce development and training space. In updating the campus broadband network, Lane College will replace hardware and wiring that has outlived its useful life and conduct network updates to ensure security. This will allow the college to build a virtual learning environment capable of handling modern connectivity requirements. The college recently acquired a building near the main campus to increase its instructional classroom space, recreational facilities, and extend educational programs into the surrounding community.

The applicant plans to build the Dream & Innovation Center, a workforce development space within the newly acquired building. This space will house classes for students with up-to-date technology for digital and virtual learning. CMC funding would be used to equip the Center’s classrooms with technology including workstations, interactive whiteboards, and improved wireless access and install security for the building to ensure safety of equipment and students.

The Dream & Innovation Center would house two workforce development partnership programs. Luminosity Lane College is an interdisciplinary research and development lab in partnership with Arizona State University where students develop innovative solutions for complex challenges around the community The CVS Workforce Innovation Talent Center (WITC) will train students and community members for employment in stores and pharmacies. The Department of Chemistry has designed new courses for students interested in pharmacy tech that will work within the WITC program. CMC funding would be used to provide the technology for the program.

The network upgrade will provide better connectivity for the Lane College campus, resulting in fewer dropped connections, fewer lags in streaming, an increase in the number of connected devices, and an expectation of 100/20 Mbps during peak hours. The Dream & Innovation Center will result in a multipurpose space that will give students and community members the ability to participate in novel workforce training programs, courses with new technologies to improve learning, and a space for innovation. The Luminosity Lab provides opportunities for students to serve their community through development and engineering projects. The CVS Workforce Innovation Talent Center (WITC) will allow for meaningful real-life training for students and community members. By targeting community members typically underrepresented in the workforce, this program will bring well-paying jobs to the Jackson area and prepare individuals for the workforce. Lane College students preparing for careers in pharmacy will complete a newly designed course offered by the Department of Chemistry to acquaint them with the pharmacy profession, terminology, and skills necessary to be successful in the industry.

Due to the high level of need in the area, all Lane College students are dependent upon the Internet that the college provides. All students, faculty, and staff at Lane College will benefit from the updates to the college’s broadband network. Lane College students and the surrounding anchor community in Jackson, TN will benefit from the Dream and Innovation Center, which will target the high levels of poverty and unemployment in the area.

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.

The applicant does not fund a consortium. The applicant’s activities do occur in the surrounding anchor communities. Details of community involvement are described below.

Project Title:

Lane College Digital Equity & Innovation Project

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Lane College

Project Title: Lane College Digital Equity & Innovation Project

Project Purpose/Type:

City/Town/Service Area:

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Sub-recipient activities if applicable

Community Involvement

Project Title:

Lane College Digital Equity & Innovation Project