Norfolk State University

The NSU: Establishing a Smart Campus and Community (SmartCOM) intends to conduct the following activities (1) increase broadband access to the NSU campus and the anchor communities through the Cox Communications Partnership by installing core fiber infrastructure to all buildings on campus, provide commercial bandwidth speed with fiber directly into business locations, and subsidize student broadband access; (2) create workforce development and experiential learning opportunities for NSU students through the recreation and reinforcement of existing partnership with Norfolk City School to prepare NSU and community students for STEM/IT/Cybersecurity careers; (3) partner with local churches for off-site training and digital inclusion programs for anchor community residents and eligible students to provide high-quality technical assistance for broadband internet access service, equipment distribution, an intensive individualized care management process for families and individuals to holistically address social, behavioral, and physical drivers impacting their health and self-sufficiency, and other technical assistance areas to aid anchor community businesses in stabilization and expansion; and (4) expand the NSU Innovation Center by using broadband to increase the training services offered to entrepreneurs and MBEs in the Norfolk area.