Seton Hill Secures $2.2 Million Federal Grant to Launch WISE Local AI Initiative

Seton Hill University has been awarded a federal Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant to establish the Workforce Initiative for Secure Enterprise Local AI (WISE Local AI). The strategic initiative, which will be funded over a 5-year period through the $2.2 million grant, will build a secure, locally hosted artificial intelligence (AI) learning and innovation ecosystem designed to prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven workforce across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Seton Hill $449,137 for the first-year implementation of the project. The full five-year budget of $2,242,222 is expected to be provided through annual award notices.

By making targeted investments in local AI infrastructure, computer hardware, faculty development, curriculum enhancement, and industry-informed projects, the WISE Local AI initiative will integrate emerging technologies across business, technology, health professions, and other disciplines. The program will expand access to hands-on AI learning experiences, establish industry-aligned credentials, and build sustainable employer partnerships across the region.

"As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the global economy, Seton Hill University is committed to ensuring our students graduate with the advanced skills, practical experience, and ethical grounding needed to excel in high-demand careers," said Mary C. Finger, Ed.D., President of Seton Hill University. "This transformational grant allows us to build a state-of-the-art, secure AI learning environment right here on campus. By directly aligning our academic programs with regional workforce needs, we are expanding opportunities for our students while helping drive economic growth and tech innovation across our region."

"Securing this competitive Title III grant directly advances Seton Hill’s commitment through the Office of Academic Innovation and Planning to building academic programs that prepare our students for our ever-changing world and to do so in a manner that is consistent with Seton Hill’s values-based education,” said Susan Yochum, SC, Ph.D., Seton Hill Provost. “This grant ensures we continue to equip our students with essential workforce-ready skills — preparing them not only to adapt, but to lead and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven job market."

As part of the grant, Seton Hill will provide first-year students studying Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Data Analytics and Applied Sciences with MacBook Pro computers. Seton Hill currently provides all students with MacBook Air systems.

“Equipping our students with upgraded MacBook Pros equipped with advanced on-device processing power is a game-changer for the School of Business and Technology," said Dr. Jared Burns, Dean of the School of Business and Technology. "By enabling fast, efficient, and secure local AI capabilities right on the device rather than relying on the cloud, this grant elevates our curriculum, directly enhances the learning experience for our students, and prepares them for modern industry demands.”

The WISE Local AI project focuses on three primary goals:

• Building Regional Capacity: Equipping Seton Hill students with the skills and technical knowledge required to fulfill the current and evolving needs of regional and national employers;
• Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline: Preparing graduates for high-demand occupations in artificial intelligence, technology, healthcare, and business; and
• Expanding Academic Programs: Developing new technology-specific degree programs and credentials that enhance institutional capability to provide the most current education to students.