Greetings IAIER Supporters,

Spring is almost here—and we are ready for it! 

We are especially excited about our upcoming Hackathon in partnership with IBM, taking place this Thursday and Friday. There is still time to register, and participation is open to students from surrounding schools. Teams will compete for cash prizes totaling $10,000, so be sure to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and showcase your skills. 

As the season begins, we are also looking forward to supporting our Chancellor during the Chancellor’s Walk and Health Fair this week. We encourage our community to come out and participate in this important initiative focused on health and wellness. You can learn more about the event here. 

Next week, we are also honored that our Chancellor will join us for the AI Summit, sponsored by Deloitte. This summit is open to the broader community, and we encourage you to attend if you are able. It will be an exciting opportunity to engage with leaders, explore emerging ideas, and continue advancing conversations around artificial intelligence. 

The IAIER team has been busy this month and recently took our work to Texas, sharing NCCU’s leadership in AI with colleagues from across the country. Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of programs planned for the remainder of the semester that you will not want to miss. At NCCU, we firmly believe that AI is for everyone, and our programming continues to reflect that commitment. 

We are grateful for your continued support and welcome opportunities for collaboration, partnership, sponsorship, and philanthropic investment. Thank you for being part of the IAIER community. 

Together, we are building pathways that ensure NCCU remains at the forefront of accessible and impactful artificial intelligence education. 

Warm Regards,

🔘 Symposium for Provosts on Artificial Intelligence — Washington, D.C. 

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady joined higher education leaders from across the country at the Symposium for Provosts on Artificial Intelligence in Washington, D.C., serving as a panelist for the session “Regulating Innovation: AI Policy Governing Implementation.” 

During the discussion, she emphasized the critical role faculty play in guiding students through responsible AI adoption while advocating for thoughtful integration of AI across academic programs. Dr. Grady also highlighted the collaborative work of IAIER at NCCU, which partners with departments campus-wide to ensure students graduate prepared to engage AI ethically and effectively in the evolving workforce. 

🔘 UNC Staff Assembly: Hosted by NCCU 

Dr. Grady was featured as a campus spotlight at the UNC System Staff Assembly held at NCCU. Dr. Grady presented on the impactful work being conducted through IAIER, highlighting the institute's contributions to the UNC System and beyond. Her presentation served as a proud representation of NCCU's growing leadership in artificial intelligence and emerging research on the national stage. 

🔘 HBCU AI Conference & Training Summit — Huston-Tillotson University 

At the HBCU AI Conference & Training Summit 2026 hosted by Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, Dr. Grady delivered a featured session titled “Building the First AI Institute at an HBCU: A Blueprint for Institutional Transformation.” 

Her presentation outlined a strategic and practical framework for institutions seeking to develop or scale AI initiatives. Drawing on NCCU’s experience establishing IAIER, Dr. Grady shared lessons on vision, collaboration, and long-term sustainability—encouraging participants to view artificial intelligence not only as a technological tool, but as a catalyst for opportunity, innovation, and impact across HBCU communities. 

Women have long been pioneers in science, technology, and innovation—often shaping breakthroughs that changed the course of computing, engineering, and research. From early computing trailblazers to today’s leaders advancing artificial intelligence, women continue to expand what’s possible in technology and higher education. 

During Women’s History Month, we recognize the contributions of women who are helping guide the responsible development and use of AI across disciplines and communities. Their leadership reminds us that the future of artificial intelligence will be shaped not only by technological advancement, but by different perspectives committed to innovation, collaboration, and impact. 

Early 2026 is already shaping up to be a high-impact season at IAIER. Below are a few upcoming moments to have on your radar — with more ahead.

Curated events and opportunities we’re watching across the region.

Tech Night at the Durham Bulls — Hosted by RapidScale

📅 Sept. 9, 2026 | ⏰ Gates open at 5:30 p.m. | 📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park RapidScale will once again host a tech-focused student picnic at the Durham Bulls, featuring a private party deck, ballpark fare, and an evening of networking and community following last year’s successful event. Registration details will be shared later this spring. More details coming soon.

Programs, resources, and experiences designed to help you learn, grow, and engage beyond the classroom.

GRADS-4C Training Fellowship & Seed Grant Opportunities 

The GRADS-4C Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud is now accepting applications for its Training Fellowship and Seed Grant programs. These opportunities support faculty and postdoctoral researchers interested in advancing work in computational genomics, data science, and cloud computing. 

Participants will engage in collaborative initiatives, research development, and professional workshops while contributing to innovative projects aligned with NIH cloud resources. 

Applications are open now and close March 29, 2026. 

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://ncat.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Kj3naJQAFexyOW

https://ncat.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cx2ryfxYUZNQ1jE  

What We Do
Advance responsible AI education, research, and workforce readiness across NCCU.

How We Show Up
• Faculty research and seed grant support
• Student learning pathways and leadership development
• Campus and community engagement
• Strategic industry and institutional partnerships

What We’re Not
An IT help desk or one-off consulting service. IAIER focuses on scalable, university-wide impact.

Want a deeper look? View the full IAIER overview (PDF).