ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — Zane State College and Muskingum University have been awarded nearly $5 million in federal funding to strengthen student support, improve transfer pathways and expand the use of artificial intelligence across both institutions.
The colleges were jointly awarded $4,999,771 through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. Zane State will serve as the lead applicant and fiscal agent, with Muskingum University as the partner institution.
The five-year grant, which begins in October and runs through September 2031, will support the project “Improving Student Outcomes and Institutional Effectiveness with AI.”
The grant will fund three primary areas: enrollment, student retention and completion, and artificial intelligence integration.
For enrollment, Zane State will add two onboarding coaches, while Muskingum will add a transfer specialist. The positions will help students with placement, financial aid, advising and registration. The institutions also will provide professional development for staff through coaching programs.
The grant also will support transfer and work-based learning initiatives. Zane State will hire two transfer coaches, while Muskingum will add a transfer navigator. Each institution also will add a Work-Based Learning Experiences coordinator to connect students with area employers for paid or for-credit internships and other career experiences.
Artificial intelligence will be another major component of the project. Each institution will add an instructional designer to help faculty incorporate AI competencies into coursework.
The colleges also plan to establish secure AI “sandboxes” where students and employees can experiment with AI tools under the guidance of AI consultants. Twenty faculty members at each institution per year will receive stipends to support the integration of AI into curriculum and instruction.
The project is expected to create 11 new positions, in addition to faculty stipends. Six of the direct-service positions are expected to become permanent positions after the grant period.
At Zane State, the college expects the project to increase the percentage of admitted students who enroll from 37% to 52% and improve fall-to-fall retention among transfer-intent students from 48% toward 60%.
At Muskingum University, the project targets a 56% increase in transfer enrollment, along with improvements in retention and completion among transfer students.
Zane State College President Joseph E. Keating Jr. said the additional personnel will help students and families navigate the college enrollment process and provide greater support for onboarding, transfer advising and work-based learning.
Muskingum University President Flavius Lilly said the partnership will create clearer pathways to degree completion, expand workplace experiences and help students develop skills related to artificial intelligence.
The grant does not require a local matching contribution, according to the colleges.
The institutions said improved enrollment, retention and completion are expected to generate revenue that will help sustain continuing positions after the grant period ends.
Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by AVC News
