$5 million in Title III grant funding has been awarded to Zane State College and Muskingum University in a cooperative effort to drive enrollment, support transfer students, and integrate AI.
With student support and investment in personnel at the forefront, Zane State College and Muskingum University have been jointly awarded Title III grant funding to improve student outcomes and enhance faculty and staff proficiencies with artificial intelligence. The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Higher Education Act Title III grant program empowers educational institutions that serve significant numbers of low-income students and operate with limited resources.
The Grant at a Glance
- Title: Improving Student Outcomes and Institutional Effectiveness with AI
- Structure: Cooperative grant — Zane State College (lead/fiscal agent) with Muskingum University (partner)
- Program: Title III, Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) — Higher Education Institutional Aid
- Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
- Employment Growth: Eleven new positions plus faculty stipends
- Total Award: $4,999,771 (100% federal; no match required)
The Partnership
Zane State College has partnered with Muskingum University in pursuit of Title III funding to raise enrollment, retention, completion, and transfer at both institutions. A sum $4,999,771 has been awarded in support of building each campus's capacity to expand these student support services and integrate artificial intelligence across curriculum and employee proficiencies.
The collaboration, titled Improving Student Outcomes and Institutional Effectiveness with AI, will span five years beginning this October and concluding September 2031. Zane State serves as lead applicant and fiscal agent. The grant will fund three key activities shared between the institutions.
Activity 1: Enrollment
Both schools will use a portion of the funding to expand personnel that directly improve their admission and enrollment processes. Two new Onboarding Coaches for Zane State and a Transfer Specialist for Muskingum will guide admitted and transfer students through placement, financial aid, advising, and registration to ensure admissions matriculate into enrollments. The institutions will additionally invest a portion of the grant in professional development for new and current staff through evidence-based coaching for higher education coaching powered by InsideTrack.
Activity 2: Retaining, Completing, and Transferring Students
The largest share of the grant funding will be dedicated to supporting transfer-intent and transferred students. Zane State will recruit two Transfer Coaches while Muskingum will onboard a Transfer Navigator. These roles within the ZSC and Muskingum partnership are designed deliberately to optimize the transfer pipeline between Zane State College and other baccalaureate institutions, including Muskingum University.
Each school will also gain a Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE) Coordinator. WBLE Coordinators will connect students with area employers to gain real-world experience and explore careers through paid and/or for-credit internships.
New staff members for both institutions will receive InsideTrack coaching.
Activity 3: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor released its Artificial Intelligence Literacy Framework which encourages education systems to expand AI education and training opportunities critical to the future of talent development and the reindustrialization of America. In alignment with this framework, ZSC and Muskingum will strengthen staff and faculty AI proficiencies through cohort-based training powered by HumanSkills.ai.
Each school will add an Instructional Designer to their personnel to help faculty embed AI competencies into coursework. This will include the rollout of firewalled AI "sandboxes" where students and employees can securely experiment with AI tools under the guide of AI consultants. Twenty faculty members per campus per year will receive additional stipends in support of AI integration across curriculum and instruction.
Direct Benefits of Title III Grant Funding
In addition to the optimizations itemized above, Zane State and Muskingum have outlined their projected returns on Title III grant investment.
Zane State College
- Six new direct-service employees at no immediate cost to the institution, plus a full-time Project Director for the duration of the project
- A 15% increase in matriculation of admitted students who convert to enrollments, targeted to lift from 37% to 52%
- Stronger fall-to-fall retention rates for transfer-intent students, rising from 48% toward 60%
- Improved local revenue stability as a result of better enrollment, retention, and completion
“This important grant helps support student success,” says Zane State College President Joseph E. Keating Jr. “It provides additional staff that will engage students and their families to help them navigate the college enrollment process. As a first-generation college student myself, I found the landscape confusing, and students continue to struggle with this same issue. This initiative provides essential personnel that increase our service capacity across onboarding, transfer advising, and work-based learning, which our students and employers need.”
Muskingum University
- Four next direct-service employees at no immediate cost to the institution
- 56% growth in transfer enrollment, targeting an increase in students transferring into Muskingum University
- Increased fall-to-fall retention and completion for transfer students
- A seamless transfer process from Zane State, with coordinated hand-offs between new and current coaching staff.
“At Muskingum, we believe education changes lives, strengthens communities, and expands what is possible for every learner," says Flavius Lilly, President of Muskingum University. “This partnership with Zane State College allows us to build on that mission by creating clearer pathways to degree completion, connecting students with meaningful workplace experiences, and equipping them with the skills needed to navigate a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Together, we are investing in student success and in the long-term vitality of our region.”
A Sustainable Investment
Of the eleven new employment opportunities created through this project, six of the direct-service employees will convert into permanent positions by the end of the project’s duration. Zane State will retain two full-time employees, and Muskingum will retain two. The enrollment, retention, and completion gains produced by the project are expected to generate the revenue that sustains the continuing positions.
Improving Student Outcomes and Institutional Effectiveness with AI will position both Zane State College and Muskingum University as regional leaders in the responsible and strategic use of artificial intelligence, particularly in the pursuit and provision of education. The project will also stimulate regional economic activity through work-based learning experiences at the benefit of local businesses and the students stepping into entry-level and internship positions.
President Keating is committed to prioritizing students and student support. "This grant continues Zane State College’s mission of Empowering People Through Education. We welcome every student whether you are in high school, exploring a career change, seeking to increase your skills, or curious about new and innovative technology. Zane State has a path for you.”
About Zane State College
Respect, integrity, and collaboration — Zane State College serves our commitment to empower students through education by starting close and aiming far. Be it education at no cost for high school students through College Credit Plus or a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree, Zane State’s dedicated faculty and staff provide holistic support for every student, every step of the way.
About Muskingum University
Founded in 1837, Muskingum University prepares a continuum of learners to think critically, excel professionally, grow personally, and contribute ethically to our changing world. With its campus located in the rural Ohio Village of New Concord, Muskingum serves 1,300 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 adult learners, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors; the Muskingum Adult Program, offering online degree completion programs; several master’s degree programs; a doctorate degree program; and workforce development partnerships with business and industry.
