Summer AI program at Marymount prepares D.C. high school students for tomorrow’s jobs

This month, Marymount University's College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology (BILT) launched the new Artificial Intelligence Dual Enrollment and Internship Program in collaboration with District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Supported by the Greater Washington Partnership's TalentReady initiative and the DC Public Education Fund, this AI program provides a unique opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors in career and technical education (CTE) pathways.

"This field really interests me and my attention is drawn to it," said Nalej Francis, a rising senior at Phelps ACE High School in Washington, D.C. "I heard Marymount is a good school and that this would be a good program to kick off my networking career, so it's helping prepare me for what's out there."

The program, which prepares participants for AI careers in government or industry, is the result of Marymount's efforts to integrate AI into its college-level curriculum. Following the creation of a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence, which was piloted in Fall 2023, the University is now sharing this knowledge with high school students and prospective Saints.

"I think it's really important for these students to get a head start," explained Dr. Diane Murphy, Director of Marymount University's Center for the Innovative Workforce and the AI Dual Enrollment and Internship Program. "Many of them come from schools that don't necessarily have these resources. We're giving them an opportunity they wouldn't have in their schools to improve their chances of getting into college or getting a job. It's very important to support the community, and we have a diverse group of Marymount students and faculty supporting them as well."

One of those Marymount student instructors dedicating their summer to the AI program's success is Kristian Alleyne, a rising junior studying Information Technology.

"I want to use my position as an instructor to help future generations. It's very interesting to see how their minds work - whenever you're teaching them things, you can see their brains working and figuring things out," Alleyne shared. "It's very rewarding to pass on knowledge, and I'm even learning myself. They surprise me with how much they know, so it's been an amazing experience."

Upon completing the summer program, students receive three transferable credits for Marymount's Concepts of Artificial Intelligence course. Led by Dr. Murphy and Dr. Alex Mbaziira, Director of Marymount's School of Technology and Innovation, the six-week program takes place at the University's state-of-the-art Ballston Center, coinciding with a four-week internship managed by the Work-Based Learning Alliance.

About 10 students are participating in the current cohort which is learning AI basics, coding in Python, engaging in hands-on projects like creating online systems for restaurant reservations and learning how AI can be applied to address UN Sustainable Development Goals such as finding solutions to poverty and environmental challenges.

"Even if they don't necessarily want to have a job in the AI field, the students realize that AI is being adapted to all aspects of life and different careers in engineering, nursing, forensics and more," Dr. Mbaziira said. "We've had professionals talk to them about how AI is being adopted in their fields, so it's opened their minds."

As part of the program, students also engage in professional development activities like delivering presentations and crafting résumés. Participants have expressed their excitement and appreciation for this opportunity to be exposed to a cutting-edge field with promising outcomes.

"I want to possibly major in mass communications when I go to college and I'm interested in learning how AI will impact videography and photography, so this program was a great fit for me," said Alana Hill, a rising junior at Ballou Senior High School in Washington, D.C. "We've been making a training course explaining the benefits and risks of AI to federal employees, so it's provided a lot of opportunities for hands-on learning."

"This program is a unique testament to the incredible work that can be accomplished when organizations join forces and share their talents and strengths for the good of all students," said Dr. Louis Frisenda, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Marymount University. "It will help prepare today's workforce for tomorrow's jobs."

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