Roanoke College joins Google AI for Education Accelerator

Roanoke College students, faculty and staff now have free access to Google artificial intelligence training and Google Career Certificates thanks to a new partnership between the college and the Google AI for Education Accelerator. 

The Google AI for Education Accelerator is a no-cost program for accredited higher education institutions that is designed to support learning and workforce readiness. The program dovetails with Roanoke’s goal to not only prepare students for their first job after graduation but to equip them with the skills they need to adapt and thrive later in their career. At a time when technology is advancing rapidly and workforce needs are shifting, this partnership provides the next generation of leaders with critical AI and job-ready skills, supporting the college’s mission of empowering learners for life. 

"A Roanoke College liberal arts education already equips our learners with the skills to ask good questions and spot a bad answer when they see one,” said Ryan King, chief of staff and innovation officer. “Pairing that with practical AI skills, at no cost, means our learners graduate knowing how to use these tools and when to question what they produce."  

The collaboration is a part of Google’s commitment to provide every higher education institution in the U.S. with free access to its most advanced AI training.  

“Every student deserves access to the AI skills needed to succeed in today’s job market,” said Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google. “We are proud to partner with Roanoke College to provide students with our most advanced AI products and training, ensuring they know how to make the most of the technology in the classroom and beyond. This program builds on years of us working together with universities to help students prepare for exciting careers.” 

Google’s AI training teaches foundational AI skills, effective prompting techniques and responsible AI usage. Students who utilize the training will also learn how to use AI tools for tasks like building resumes and practicing job interviews.  

Students, faculty and staff will also have the option to earn Google Career Certificates at no cost. These certificates are industry-recognized credentials in a variety of in-demand fields, including cybersecurity, information technology support and data analytics. This program has helped more than one million people get the training they need to land higher paying jobs.  

To learn more about Google’s AI training, students can visit the Grow with Google website. To learn more about these new resources and to register for a Google Career Certificate, students, faculty and staff can visit the college’s Google AI for Education Accelerator webpage.