MCC employees invited to join new AI courses through MAIN initiative
Meridian Community College is now a member of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence
Network (MAIN), the nation’s first statewide artificial intelligence (AI) initiative.
Created in partnership with AccelerateMS, Intel, and Dell, MAIN aims to meet the demand for AI skills in Mississippi’s workforce. As part of this initiative, MCC employees are invited to participate in AI courses in a "Train the Trainer" format, which begins this month.
“As AI continues to reshape industries and drive innovation, it's crucial that we prepare the next generation of professionals to harness its potential. The business world increasingly demands AI literacy, making it essential to incorporate AI education into our academic curricula,” said Michelle Stokley, MCC computer science instructor.
She explained AI is increasingly becoming a way of life – often in ways that are not easily recognizable. “From virtual assistants like Siri to the algorithms behind Gmail's spam filters, AI is already deeply integrated into the services we use daily,” Stokley noted.
“Tech giants like Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Google, and Spotify leverage AI to personalize our experiences, predict our preferences, and tailor content and advertisements to our interests,” she added.
The courses, led by Dr. Kollin Napier, a Mississippi community college instructor and director of MAIN, include Introduction to AI, AI for Manufacturing, and Introduction to Generative AI. Developed through Intel’s Digital Readiness AI for Workforce program, these courses have been adapted for the Canvas platform.
The courses cover fundamental AI concepts, applications, historical evolution, current trends, future implications, practical usage, hands-on activities, ethical considerations, and societal impacts. Utilizing “no-code” tools, they require no prerequisites, making them accessible to those without prior programming skills or a background in computer science.
“Empowering our employees with AI skills enhances their professional growth, fuels innovation, and propels Mississippi's economic development,” added Dr. Napier.
MAIN was established in partnership with all 15 community colleges and several major universities in Mississippi. Additional courses will be gradually introduced to Canvas throughout the year. Stokley added, “To address this growing need, our initiative focuses on bringing AI training into higher education. Colleges and universities are ideally positioned to equip students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in an AI-driven future.”
This initiative underscores MCC's commitment to providing high-quality education and training opportunities to its employees, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological advancements and are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.
For more information about the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN) or the AI courses, contact Dr. Napier at kollin.napier@mgccc.edu. Or contact Stokley at Meridian Community College at michelle.stokley@meridiancc.edu