SSU Awarded $3.8 Million Transformational Grant to Lead AI Teaching & Learning Collaborative

Savannah State University (SSU) has been awarded a $3.8m grant from the U.S. Department of Education to lead the AI Teaching & Learning Collaborative: Transforming Teaching, Learning, and Educator Preparation with Artificial Intelligence.

As the lead applicant and anchor institution, Savannah State University will spearhead a bold, statewide initiative aimed at advancing responsible, ethical, and evidence-based integration of artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, and educator preparation programs. The project will strengthen instructional practices, expand AI literacy among educators, and support the preparation of future teachers equipped to leverage emerging technologies in diverse learning environments.
“This award reflects Savannah State University’s growing role as a leader in educator preparation and innovation,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, president of Savannah State University. “It allows us to ensure artificial intelligence is used ethically and intentionally to improve teaching and expand opportunity—especially for students and communities that have been historically underserved.”

The collaborative includes key partners such as the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and the Digital Flex Consortium, which will provide federated AI infrastructure, advanced analytics, and embedded instructional coaching. Savannah State faculty, particularly in educator preparation and gateway courses, will lead project design, implementation, and evaluation.

The initiative addresses federal priorities for instructional improvement and educator preparation by deploying AI-enabled personalized learning models, adaptive diagnostic tools, and Science of Reading–aligned instructional pathways. It also includes a statewide, stackable AI micro-credentialing system to build educator fluency, ethical AI competencies, and instructional capacity across P–20 education systems.

In its initial phase, the project is expected to serve approximately 5,000 educators and 50,000 students, with plans to scale statewide to reach more than 30,000 educators and 500,000 students. Priority populations include students with disabilities, English learners, rural students, and those in high-need districts facing persistent teacher shortages.

“This project affirms the trust placed in Savannah State to lead work at the intersection of equity, literacy, and responsible AI,” said

. “Our goal is to equip educators with practical tools and safeguards that improve instruction and outcomes while protecting students.”

Deliverables will include AI micro-credentials, implementation guides, evaluation tools, research publications, and a National Replication Toolkit to support adoption by other states and education systems.