PROJECTS
The university students must have access to experiential learning where they are armed with training, education, and soft skills needed to venture into their careers. Historically, universities have been the breeding ground for innovation. NSU is committed to executing digital transformation and leveraging the 5G network campus-wide to bring new educational tools to classrooms and nearby anchor communities. NSU is committed to investing in 5 G-driven technologies for better delivery of educational opportunities, student mobile internet experience and to serve as a testing ground for partnerships with businesses in the anchor communities.
The total number of households with computers and Internet use in Norfolk city per 2019 census data is 88,353, and 91% of the households own a computer, and 83.4% are connected via broadband internet.
We have partnered with Cox Communications. The Norfolk State University (NSU) – Cox Communications Partnership for Smart Campus (Project EMBRYO). The NSU – Cox Communications partnership for a Smart Campus will significantly increase broadband access to the NSU campus and the Anchor communities. In addition, we will conduct surveys to assess the students’ ability to utilize technology in virtual and remote learning experiences, before and after the infrastructure is in place.
PROJECT #1
Improving Broadband access on NSU Campus
Project Progress & Information
NGE COI waiting on equipment to finish hookup and connection to NSU (firewalls etc.; NSU expenses) – Dec 23
Metro Ethernet – Dec 23
VB Higher Ed connection complete
Alumni House – searching for available fiber
Shepards Village – waiting on renovation completion
Norfolk Naval Station – pending access to complete on Naval Station property
Radio Station Transmitter site – Complete
Greenspace Wireless – Dec 24
Wireless assessment for access point placement (in progress)Yes
To prepare NSU and community students for the STEM/IT/Cybersecurity workforce by providing exposure to rigorous, relevant academic programs, involvement in extracurricular STEM/IT and cybersecurity activities, participation in workforce development activities through internships and externships with MBEs and 501c3 consortium members, and the integration of students into research activities at Norfolk State University.
To provide more career experiences via the Spartan Techs and Graduate Tech projects.
PROJECT #2
Creating Workforce Development and Student Experiential Learning Opportunities
Partnering with the local school district and private K-12 schools.
Project Progress & Information
K-12 Project Plan and Status – 25% Complete
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NSU- Student Engagement – Workforce Development Project Plan and Status – 25% Complete
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Specific STEM Engagements for K-5 Schools and NSU Student Workforce Development Initiatives
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- Facilitate opportunities to connect and empower community leaders and residents to own and act collectively for impact.
- Supply the tools and services needed to achieve lasting improvement within the anchor community (e.g., improve broadband access, reduce the impact of SDOH, shrink the homework gap).
- Push for system change informed by lived experiences of anchor community, data collection, and measured outcomes
PROJECT #3
Connecting Anchor Institutions Initiative
Project Progress & Information
Two-year Activity Schedule/Resource Allocation
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City of Portsmouth Poverty Study
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Anchor Community Institution Coverage Maps and Demographics for Biltmore Commons
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- Cultivate Innovation: Help Entrepreneurs Launch and Grow by expanding our consulting and mentoring programs and strengthen our incubation programming. Target – 100 businesses
- Expanding our website to include on-line advising resources. Visitors looking to discuss an idea, discover tools and techniques to fast track a venture, or practice a pitch, can browse profiles of NSUIC staff advisors to discover a good fit and schedule a 15- minute or 30-minute introductory session via a web-based platform (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.) Data capture on the number of contacts, meeting subject and outcomes can be documented and stored using a combination of scheduling software (e.g., Schedulicity) and a cloud-based server for research purposes. Target – 75 businesses
- Expanding our website to include on-line expert resources. Providing clients access to a network of experts (i.e., serial entrepreneurs, CPAs, attorneys) to gain valuable knowledge and support. Clients can browse profiles of NSUIC partnered experts and select the right match based upon expert type, industry, or area of expertise. Once matched, clients may schedule a 1:1 meeting (via a web-based platform) with their expert of choice to address specific areas of interest. NSUIC nurtures the development of key external partnerships while connecting clients with business experts to aid in business growth and development. As a part of inclusion on the site, our experts would need to utilize our online portal for scheduling and meetings so we can capture data on the number of referrals, meeting subject matter, outcome, and next steps (if applicable). Target – 75 businesses
PROJECT #4
Expand the NSU Innovation Center: Use broadband to increase the training services offered to entrepreneurs and MBEs in the Norfolk area.
Project Progress & Information
Project Plan and Status – 25% Complete
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NSU SmartCOM External Evaluation: The Plan and Preliminary Data
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