Abstract
New national legislation was introduced to substantially invest AI-related funding to US ethnic/racial minority-serving, educational institutions. This study illustrates that economic attention to “global south”, marginalized communities, within a developed nation, is necessary. For a nation to advance, all people must be equipped. Also, practical hurdles call for notice and action. Groups for potential funding include Hispanic serving institutions (HSI), historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), and Tribal (American Native) colleges and universities (TCU). Ideally funds would enhance both educators and students overall. Demographic trends illustrate that racial “minorities” such as Latinxs (62.1 million or 19.5% of US) are not numerically smallest in many cities. By 2060 the US Census Bureau projects Latinxs at 28% of the nation. The population mosaic continues to shift. As political and educational leaders sprint to plan initiatives, what are practical challenges? 1) professionals need time for self-updates; 2) renovating courses and curriculum requires time; 3) economically depressed regions and city zones need equitable infrastructure before state-of-the-art is layered from above; 4) policies, laws, Treaties on behalf of people of color are uneven, broken 5) authentic cross-cultural approaches are a necessity in scaffolding and building up. Overall, historically disenfranchised communities need multi-pronged considerations to participate more as knowledgeable and skilled workers, scholars, and leaders of tomorrow. Within our current era of technological adaptation, possibilities for remarkable educational inroads, uplifting all societal segments, are endless. It is with cautious and informed hope that we hasten forward.
Presenters
Graciela Quinones-RodriguezPsychiatric Social Worker-Mental Health Clinician, Student Health and Wellness-Mental Health Services, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States Diana Rios
Faculty Communication and EL Instituto: Latino-Latin American Caribbean Studies, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States Mary Helen Millham
Contributing Faculty, School of Communication, University of Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
EDUCATIONAL EQUITY, LATINOS, AI GAP, POLICY, FUNDING, ETHNICITY, RACE, TECHNOLOGY
