Miami Dade College

The Miami Dade College (MDC) WIRED project will increase broadband access by: (a) linking eligible students and their households to subsidized internet plans or providing mobile hotspot devices to eligible students that are not able to access subsidized internet plans; (b) providing Wi-Fi ready laptops through on-campus lending libraries; and (c) expanding and improving outside broadband through infrastructure improvements and equipment installation on campuses located in the most distressed anchor communities. WIRED will improve digital literacy in the anchor communities by offering in-person and online digital literacy workshops through partnerships with public housing authorities and community and faith-based organizations. These workshops will focus on improving understanding of safe use of internet resources (websites, apps, email, etc.) and increasing the use of the internet among anchor community participants for things such as banking and bill pay, interfacing with healthcare providers (telehealth), enrolling in and/or taking online classes, and shopping. Lastly, to help increase minority representation in high demand occupations in areas such as cybersecurity, MDC will offer residents of anchor communities enrollment opportunities for First Step Prep, a boot camp for persons lacking requisite computer competencies. Curriculum will be developed for a 4-week boot camp that will provide participants with competency in the fundamentals of networks.