Howard University is Collaborating with Amazon Web Services to Advance AI Learning Across Higher Education

From The Dig:

Howard University and Amazon Web Services (AWS) recently collaborated to host the inaugural AWS Machine Learning University Educator Bootcamp of 2025. The four-day event brought together more than 200 faculty and administrators through a hybrid format, combining on-site programming at the Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture’s Innovation Space with virtual participation for nationwide engagement.

The program drew educators from 35 institutions, with strong representation from historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and community colleges. This broad participation aligns with an overarching goal from Howard’s AI Initiative to equip all students and faculty with the required knowledge and skills to thrive in the field and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence concepts across disciplines. It also aligns with AWS’s initiative to support AI and machine learning (ML) instruction across academia.

“This collaboration with AWS represents a pivotal moment to expand industry-aligned AI education,” said Kimberly L. Jones, Ph. D., dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture. “By bringing AWS’s cutting-edge industry expertise to our faculty, we are creating pathways for faculty to accelerate the implementation of transformative AI and ML curricula into classrooms across the nation, preparing students to become leaders in AI innovation.” 

Technical expert, Jose Cassio dos Santos, Jr., AWS senior applied scientist, led participants through a curriculum adapted from AWS’s internal training programs. The bootcamp focused on ML fundamentals, with later sessions exploring implementation strategies and student engagement approaches tailored to various institutional contexts.

“Bringing industry-aligned AI curriculum to faculty through hands-on, intensive training will help us even better prepare students with the skills employers need now,” said Talitha Washington, Ph.D., executive director for the Howard University Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics. “As educators, we continually seek new ways to prepare our students to be leaders, especially in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven workforce.”

The program extended beyond technical sessions to include networking opportunities and a site visit to a local Amazon Fulfillment Center, offering participants firsthand exposure to industrial applications of robotics and automation. Washington delivered a guest lecture examining critical intersections between innovation, AI, and national priorities, encouraging participants to advance curriculum that prepares students to lead in an AI-driven future.

“Industry-aligned curriculum is the catalyst that transforms academic potential into innovation reality. Our collaboration with Howard through the MLU Educators Consortium provides faculty and students with hands-on AI experience using real-world tools and frameworks,” said Jerome Johnson, director of AWS solutions architecture, national security, and defense. “Howard’s leadership in hosting our inaugural machine learning bootcamp demonstrates how strategic academic collaborations can accelerate both learning and breakthrough discovery, ensuring the next generation of AI innovators reflects the fresh perspectives needed to tackle tomorrow’s greatest challenges.”

The bootcamp concluded by establishing a year-long professional development community, ensuring sustained collaboration as participants implement AI/ML courses and programs of study at their institutions. Faculty will maintain connections through regular virtual engagement sessions, shared resources, and ongoing support from AWS.

“Our collaboration with Howard University created an ideal environment for this important work,” said Jeryl Concepcion, senior program manager at the AWS Machine Learning University. “Howard’s leadership in AI makes them a natural participant as we look to expand access to industry-relevant AI and ML education across higher education.”

For more information about the AWS Machine Learning University and the Educator Enablement Program, visit https://aws.amazon.com/ai/machine-learning/educators.