City Colleges of Chicago Establishes the Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS

Selected as a regional lead institution for AWS-Machine Learning University (AWS-MLU), City Colleges of Chicago advances its collaboration with Amazon Web Services to bring industry-leading AI and machine learning education to faculty and students across the region.

CHICAGO – (March 12, 2026) – City Colleges of Chicago has been selected as a regional lead institution for AWS-Machine Learning University (AWS-MLU) and has established the Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS, bringing the cloud learning environment to faculty and their classrooms at no cost.

The Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS establishes City Colleges of Chicago as the central institution responsible for organizing, delivering, and scaling faculty-led AI and machine learning bootcamps, workshops, and regional business case competitions for students, in collaboration with AWS-MLU. City Colleges of Chicago is one of five institutions selected nationwide as a regional lead for AWS-MLU, alongside Howard University, Delaware State University, Alabama A&M University, and Oklahoma City Community College.

“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.” – Dr. Margie Vela, Head of Strategic Initiatives-Machine Learning University, Amazon Web Services

“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,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. “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.”

City Colleges’ new designation elevates its role as the convening institution for AI and advanced technology education across the region. It will not only offer intensive training for City Colleges faculty but for other Midwest community colleges, HBCUs, colleges and universities which also serve underrepresented populations in the STEM sectors.

City Colleges of Chicago and AWS-MLU have collaborated since 2023. This expanded work is part of a nationwide initiative that supports college faculty in integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into their curriculum.

Through this collaboration, faculty from City Colleges of Chicago STEM sectors will have access to training, curated curriculum resources, and ongoing support designed to prepare them to impart what they themselves are learning about AI/ML to students in their classrooms. In addition, City Colleges of Chicago will host high-visibility faculty bootcamps and business case competitions designed for students.

“This partnership reflects City Colleges’ commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation,” said Ayoka Noelle Samuels, associate vice chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago Technology and Strategy sector. “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 a regional lead for AWS-Machine Learning University, City Colleges of Chicago is committed to advancing equitable access to AI and machine learning education across the region. Through this initiative, City Colleges will continue to build a pipeline of faculty and students equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead in an increasingly technology-driven workforce and economy.

For more information about the Midwest AI/Machine Learning Initiative Powered by AWS email: tech@ccc.edu.

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About Machine Learning University

Through its Machine Learning University (MLU) Educators Consortium and Transformation Alliance, AWS is dedicated to expanding access to AI and ML education. These initiatives empower faculty and senior administrators—particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and community colleges—to integrate AI/ML into undergraduate instruction and research through hands-on technical training, open-access curriculum, and peer collaboration. By promoting inclusive and industry-aligned tech education, AWS is helping to cultivate the next generation of diverse and skilled technology leaders.

City Colleges of Chicago  

City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility, empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger Chicago. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago by visiting www.ccc.edu, click here or call 312-COLLEGE.

Media contact: Veronica Resa, City Colleges of Chicago, (e) vresa1@ccc.edu