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Houston City College announces $2 million in funding from Google to expand AI training across region

Dec 2, 2025

Houston City College (HCC) has received $2 million in funding from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, to expand artificial intelligence programs, train more instructors and boost the greater Houston region’s pipeline of students entering fast-growing AI and robotics careers.

The funding through Google.org with HCC is aimed at tackling a national shortage of qualified AI faculty, which limits the pace at which colleges can train students for emerging tech jobs. This initiative will connect students and nonprofits to hands-on AI skills training and real workforce opportunities through funding, technical resources and mentorship.

The support from Google will allow HCC to hire full-time AI faculty and technicians, develop new curriculum, expand professional development and bolster lab facilities. Part of the funding will also grow dual-credit AI offerings at Houston-area school districts.

"This support from Google positions HCC to lead boldly in AI education and workforce development,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “Being the first community college in Texas to offer an AI associate degree and the first in the nation to launch a bachelor’s in AI and robotics is an exciting achievement, and this new funding will help us broaden our impact for students and the economy."

During the initial phase of the funding, HCC expects to train at least 40 college and 40 high-school instructors to teach AI coursework, serving at least 400 dual-credit high-schoolers and up to 2,000 HCC students earning stackable credentials.

With the expanded instructional capacity, a later phase is projected to help more than 3,200 high school students and 4,800 HCC students complete at least one AI course leading to stackable pathways into the workforce.

With the support of Google.org, HCC also plans to establish a regional coalition of at least 20 institutions, nonprofits and industry partners, who will coordinate resources and align training with workforce needs. The effort will culminate in a regional AI symposium showcasing student innovation and emerging technology.

HCC Board of Trustees Chair Eva Loredo highlighted the college’s leadership in AI education, noting its track record of hosting regional and national AI conferences for four consecutive years.

"This new funding will help elevate the conversation even further and create more opportunities for our students to showcase their innovation and skills on a larger stage," she said. “Google’s support accelerates our college’s ability to scale AI capacity across the region and broaden opportunities for so many people.”

Samir Saber, dean of HCC Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence, said he is encouraged by the college’s ability to expand the number of trained instructors and strengthen pathways for students.

“This allows us to more robustly open doors to life-changing opportunities and helps shape the future workforce of Houston and beyond,” he said.

Curriculum and instructional materials developed through the project will be made publicly accessible under open-source licenses.