Columbia College awarded $1.24 million in first-year federal funding to advance student success

Five-year Title III initiative will expand faculty development, AI-supported teaching, advising, and student support 

Columbia College has been awarded $1,240,577 in first-year funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. The award launches a five-year initiative focused on faculty development, student career readiness, classroom modernization, and more accessible student support through artificial intelligence and data analytics.

The project, Strengthening Columbia College and Its Students Through AI-Enhanced Learning and Support, will upgrade 29 classrooms over three years, expand campus technology, and equip faculty and staff to use AI and new software effectively and responsibly.

The grant will also fund a Center for Teaching and Learning, with a new Dean of Faculty serving as its inaugural director. The Center will coordinate orientation, mentoring, and ongoing development for full-time and adjunct faculty, providing a dedicated hub for teaching innovation, course design, research, and scholarship.

Students will benefit from enhanced first-year experiences on campus and online, expanded academic support, and career preparation and financial literacy opportunities. Planned improvements include early-alert tools to identify students who may need assistance, closer integration of advising with the College’s student information system, and AI-enhanced advising support available around the clock. Data analytics will help faculty and staff track student progress, respond to emerging needs, and evaluate program effectiveness.

The initial award covers October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with a project period extending through September 2031. Future-year funding is subject to federal appropriations, satisfactory progress and performance, required reporting, and continued compliance with federal financial and administrative requirements.

Federal Funding Acknowledgment: This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education under the Title III, Part A Strengthening Institutions Program. Federal award announcements and publications describing the project are subject to federal funding-disclosure requirements. 
About Columbia College 

Founded in 1854, Columbia College educates women and men for lives of purpose, impact, and leadership. Through its “On the Rise” strategic plan, the College is expanding innovative programs, inquiry-based learning, and workforce-focused pathways in allied health, education, and the creative industries. An anchor institution in Columbia’s 29203 community, the College advances wellness, economic mobility, and opportunity through partnerships across the Midlands. With small classes, individualized support, and more than 30 undergraduate and eight graduate programs, Columbia College prepares students for careers of consequence.