BOWIE, Md. — Bowie State University has received nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation to create a new Computing Experiential Hub that will prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The three-year award, funded through NSF’s Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, will support a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities. Students will work on industry-sponsored AI projects, faculty-led research and entrepreneurial collaborations while receiving mentorship and professional development. The initiative aims to expand access to high-quality workforce training and strengthen the nation’s STEM talent pipeline.
“This initiative will open doors to high-growth careers, expand diversity in the AI workforce and position BSU as a national leader in preparing the next generation of innovators,” said Dr. Rose Shumba, chair of Bowie State’s Department of Computer Science and the project’s principal investigator, in the university’s announcement.
The program will recruit 12 students each year for its first three years, with plans to expand to 30 annually as funding grows. Participants will receive stipends and travel support to take part in off-campus internships, research opportunities and industry-immersion experiences.
Bowie State officials said the hub will also develop partnerships with technology companies — including IBM — as well as startups and entrepreneurial ventures, aiming to connect students directly with professionals shaping the AI field.
About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865 as Maryland’s first historically Black public university, Bowie State enrolls more than 6,100 students and offers over 65 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. University leaders say the new hub aligns with Bowie State’s mission to expand educational and economic opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
On Sept. 24, 2025, Bowie State University announced it was ranked No. 11 among all historically Black colleges and universities and placed among the Top 5 public HBCUs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, recognizing the university’s 160-year legacy of academic excellence, innovation and student success.
More information on the grant and program is available in Bowie State University’s official press release.
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