City Colleges of Chicago announced on March 12 that it has been selected as a regional lead institution for the AWS-Machine Learning University (AWS-MLU) and will establish the Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS. This initiative brings cloud-based artificial intelligence and machine learning education to faculty and students across the region at no cost.
The selection positions City Colleges of Chicago as a central hub for organizing, delivering, and expanding faculty-led bootcamps, workshops, and business case competitions in collaboration with Amazon Web Services. The college is one of five institutions nationwide chosen as a regional lead for AWS-MLU, joining Howard University, Delaware State University, Alabama A&M University, and Oklahoma City Community College.
Dr. Margie Vela, Head of Strategic Initiatives-Machine Learning University at Amazon Web Services, said: “Establishing five regional lead institutions for the AWS-MLU Program marks a powerful step forward in scaling AI and machine learning education nationwide. I am especially enthusiastic about co-developing content with HBCUs and community colleges—uniting faculty expertise with industry insight to create learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and accessible.
HBCUs continue to lead at the forefront of AI innovation, while community colleges serve as critical engines of workforce mobility and technology adoption. Together, they are not simply participating in the AI future—they are defining it. This is how we build national momentum: through regional leadership, shared creation, and a collective commitment to preparing students everywhere to thrive in an AI-driven world.”
Chancellor Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago said: “Being named the Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS is a milestone that solidifies City Colleges of Chicago’s role as a premier convener of AI and advanced technology education. This collaboration with AWS-MLU allows us to scale our impact across the region—it enables us to deliver elite, workforce-ready training, ensuring we can sustainably bridge the tech gap for faculty.”
The new designation will allow City Colleges not only to offer intensive training for its own faculty but also extend these opportunities to other Midwest community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), colleges, and universities serving underrepresented populations in STEM fields. The partnership began in 2023 as part of a broader effort supporting college faculty in integrating artificial intelligence into their curriculum.
Ayoka Noelle Samuels, associate vice chancellor of Technology and Strategy at City Colleges of Chicago said: “This partnership reflects City Colleges’ commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation. We’re excited to bring these tools to our faculty, and others around the Midwest, so that they in turn can prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. The partnership will ensure faculty gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies, and it will support them in the classroom as they continue to prepare students to participate in a competitive STEM-based field of study and workforce.”
As part of its ongoing efforts as an AWS-MLU regional lead institution, City Colleges aims to advance equitable access to artificial intelligence education throughout the region by building pipelines for both faculty development and student preparation.
