Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE Act) Abstracts
Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026
Unlocking Resources to Improve Digital Learning Infrastructure to Enhance Online Degree Programs
This activity will support technology infrastructure enhancements and equipment upgrades to ensure the university can develop online degrees and increase enrollment. The desired goal is to increase retention rates to 85% and graduation rates to 40% by the end of the performance period in 2030. The funds will support upgrades to classroom and lab spaces in technology and supplies for student hands-on training. Virtual labs and classrooms will ensure students can complete their degree totally online. To stay competitive with other universities in the region and globally, the Institution’s goal has been to increase the number of fully approved online degrees to nine (9) during the grant life cycle.
LAA: (4) Academic instruction in disciplines in which Black Americans are underrepresented.
Integrating AI-Enhanced STEM Learning to Advance Academic Excellence at ECSU
This activity will allow creation of safe collaborative learning spaces in which our students can prepare projects, participate in study groups, provide faculty workshops for integrating AI tools into STEM curricula, resources for faculty professional development and more. With the support of Title III funding ECSU can continue to prepare a diverse student body for personal and professional success to positively impact the region, state, nation, and beyond. We will use the funds to leverage technology to support growth in STEM programs; develop and maintain collaborative learning spaces and STEM facilities that support academic growth. This activity leverages AI innovation to directly further ECSU’s academic excellence goals. With clear objectives and measurable outcomes, the plan promises significant gains in STEM success, student retention, faculty development, and institutional impact.
LAA: (1) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment for educational purposes, including instructional and research purposes.
Unlocking Resources to Support Academic Facility Upgrades to Enhance Academic Excellence
It is the goal of this activity to increase student retention and graduation rates by promoting an academic environment centered on student success. The resources from this activity will allow for upgrades of academic facilities, technology, equipment, furnishings and software that will allow programs to implement real-life and applied research into the curriculum. This activity will provide academic facilities with state-of-the-art technology, equipment and software that will support an increase in student retention and graduation rates.
LAA: (2) Construction, maintenance, renovation, and improvement in classroom, library, laboratory, and other instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of telecommunications technology equipment or services.