Davenport University Gets $3 Million Grant for AI Workforce Training

Davenport University received a $3 million Strengthening Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the university announced on its website. The funding will support a five year initiative to prepare students for jobs that use AI and improve university systems and services.

The project will receive $600,000 annually from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, and will affect more than 4,000 students. Davenport plans to work with employers and workforce advisory boards to identify AI skills needed across professions, then add those skills to academic programs, certificates, microcredentials, digital badges and practical learning opportunities.

The university will also expand its use of data, predictive analytics and AI tools for advising, academic planning, tutoring and coaching. A faculty fellows program will train instructors to incorporate AI into teaching, while university wide guidelines will address privacy, transparency, academic integrity, fairness and human-centered decision-making.