Savannah State University (SSU) is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of 30 institutions chosen to participate in the IBM SkillsBuild AI Freshmen HBCU Initiative, a program designed to transform student career preparedness with foundational AI skills and recognized digital credentials.
The initiative aims to equip every incoming freshman at the selected institutions with foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence (AI). All SSU first-year students will be required to complete the IBM SkillsBuild course titled “Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence.” The 3-hour, self-paced course has been embedded in the First-Year Experience course as a required assignment.
The IBM course will teach students the basics of artificial intelligence within the topics of:
• What AI is and how it works
• Real-world examples across industries
• Key terms such as machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing
• Basic considerations of ethics and bias in AI
“Integrating the IBM Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence module into our First-Year Experience curriculum is more than a foundational requirement—it’s a strategic investment in our students’ future,” said Dr. Marcus S. Cox, SSU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “When implemented campus-wide, this initiative unlocks access to over 1,000 free courses, paid micro-internships, mentoring opportunities, and personalized learning paths aligned with real-world job roles. With AI reshaping the workforce, SSU has a unique opportunity to lead in preparing students for tomorrow’s careers.”
The course serves as a gateway to a much broader library of free IBM SkillsBuild courses in areas such as:
• Data science and analytics
• Sustainability in technology
• Career readiness and communication skills
Each completed course earns an additional IBM SkillsBuild badge or certification, which enhances students’ digital credentials and showcases workforce-aligned competencies to employers.
“We are pleased to lead the IBM SkillsBuild AI Freshmen HBCU Initiative to ensure that not only are all of our freshmen certified with the IBM AI introductory module, but to extend the IBM AI offerings throughout our business curriculum,” said Dr. Michael Fronmueller, Dean of the College of Business Administration. “The World Economic Forum 2025 jobs report is clear — familiarity in transformative technology is a must in the job market, across all industries.”
Dr. Andrea L. Moore, Professor of Biology and Freshman Year Experience Coordinator, said, “I am honored to be part of this trailblazing initiative. This is the first program of its kind at SSU, and it underscores our deep commitment to student career readiness. By equipping every freshman with foundational skills in artificial intelligence, we are ensuring that our students graduate prepared with the workforce development skills that will shape the future.”
Insights from the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025” reinforce Savannah State’s strategic direction. The report indicates that advancements in technologies, particularly AI and information processing, are among the most transformative trends in the labor market by 2030. The report states that “These trends…fuel demand for technology-related skills, including AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy, which are anticipated to be the top three fastest-growing skills.”
Frank J. Mendelson, a lecturer in SSU’s College of Business Administration, serves as the campus point of contact for the initiative. He said that business is adopting an AI-first digital strategy and that according to global IT research firm Gartner, “By the end of 2025, 50% of the boards of directors of the world’s 500 largest companies will use GenAI-enabled software for ideation, scenario planning, and decision optimization, up from less than 1% in 2022. They report that by 2028, one-third of interactions with generative AI software will invoke autonomous agents to achieve tasks, up from less than 1% in 2023.”
SSU has appointed Senior Isaiah Clark and Freshman Patience Thompson as IBM Student Ambassadors to help drive campus-wide awareness of the IBM SkillsBuild resources. Student Ambassadors with IBM SkillsBuild is a leadership and training program designed specifically for college students. Ambassadors are supported and coached to become leaders on their campuses.
“This role gives me the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence while representing Savannah State University,” said Clark. “I am excited to apply what I learn to inspire my peers, foster innovation, and contribute to the advancement of both our campus community and the broader HBCU network.”
