BGSU awarded Meta Data Center Community Action Grant to expand AI, immersive technology in the classroom

The grant will support a university-wide effort to integrate AI and immersive technologies into the curriculum, preparing students for rapidly evolving industries

Bowling Green State University recently was awarded a Meta Data Center Community Action Grant to launch a university-wide initiative to further integrate AI and immersive technology into the classroom, strengthening students’ digital literacy and workforce readiness.

Bowling Green was the only university in Ohio to receive a grant for 2026, underscoring the University’s leadership and commitment to innovation in preparing students for emerging technologies that are reshaping industries.

Through Meta’s grant, BGSU will establish the AI+X Teaching Fellows program to empower faculty members to integrate AI, AR and VR technologies into their courses in ways specifically designed to align with the skills employers demand.

“The AI+X Teaching Fellows program will bring together faculty from across disciplines to form a community of practice focused on exploring ethical and pedagogically sound integrations of digital literacy, AI and immersive technologies in their courses,” said Chelsea Chandler, director of the BGSU Center for Faculty Excellence, who is leading the initiative. “Faculty in the program will have dedicated time and a supportive community to design, implement and evaluate the learning experiences created. Students, in turn, will be able to hone their digital literacy skills, explore innovative uses of technology they may not have otherwise experienced, and provide valuable feedback to inform future iterations of the modules and assessments developed.”

Meta provides direct funding to local schools, nonprofits and organizations in communities where it has data centers to fuel innovation, advance STEAM education and address critical technology needs to help build stronger, more sustainable communities. As construction on the Bowling Green Data Center progresses, Meta introduces its Data Center Community Action Grants program to the region for the first time, with 11 grant recipients in 2026.      

"Meta is proud to support BGSU, which stood out for the innovative ways its faculty are integrating AI and immersive technology to build employer-valued digital skills – and for its vision to extend that impact to K-12 educators across the region," said Amanda Miller Bartlome, Meta's Community Development Regional Manager. "Universities like Bowling Green play a critical role in our data center communities, shaping the future of AI and immersive learning while preparing students and educators with the skills needed for tomorrow's workforce and strengthening the communities they serve."

The teaching fellows program is also designed to support the University’s new AI + X degree, the nation’s first customizable AI bachelor’s degree.

Faculty members across numerous disciplines, including journalism, computer science, arts, math, history, education and more, will redesign and implement a course, module or assignment using AI and immersive tools, with regular evaluations to monitor results, student feedback and outcomes.

The newly designed courses are expected to reach 500 to 700 students in the first year, with the goal of at least 70% of those students reporting improved understanding of real-world applications of AI and digital tools.

To broaden impact, the fellows will also develop open-source resources and case studies to share with regional K-12 school districts and community educators, reinforcing Bowling Green’s leadership in innovative teaching and learning. 

“These types of partnerships with industry have ripple effects,” said Steve Russell, BGSU chief partnership officer. “This grant marks the beginning of a budding relationship with Meta, one that we believe has the power to create sustainable academic innovation across our campus, expand opportunities for our students, and deliver meaningful benefits to our region. We look forward to continuing our work with the Meta team and are deeply appreciative of the trust they have placed in our ability to lead, innovate and leverage their technology to create public good.”