CU partnership in Google AI initiative helping to deliver career-boosting credentials to learners

The CU system recently renewed its participation in the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) Microcredentials Community of Practice (CoP), an initiative of the Google AI for Education Accelerator.

NASH – a first-in-the-nation partnership with Google modeled after the University of Texas Texas Credentials for the Future initiative – brought together 11 higher education systems, 88 institutions and over 100 faculty members and leaders to deliver Google Career Certificates and AI training, either as co-curricular offerings or embedded into academic programs. 

In its inaugural year, the CoP reached nearly 15,000 learners.

The Google AI for Education Accelerator provides essential skills-based certificates to students, faculty and staff across the CU system at no cost, including:

• Google Career Certificates: Industry recognized certificates that equip students with job-ready skills in cybersecurity, data analytics, IT support and more. An employer consortium of over 150 top companies, including Google, use these certificates for hiring or upskilling. To date, the program has helped over 1 million people gain training for higher-paying jobs. Over 70% of certificate graduates report a positive career impact within six months of completion.
• AI Essentials: Google’s AI training teaches foundational AI skills, effective prompting techniques and responsible AI usage. Students also learn how to use AI tools for academic and career-related tasks, such as creating study guides, building resumes and practicing for interviews. 
• Gemini and NotebookLM through Workspace: Institutions have enterprise access to Gemini and NotebookLM, including data protections, through Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals. 

Impact at CU campuses:

Janice Thorpe, teaching professor, UCCS: “UCCS is making Google Career Certificates available to students across disciplines with a two-pronged approach. First, faculty are integrating modules and micro‑specializations directly into credit‑bearing courses, so students earn industry‑recognized credentials as part of their normal learning pathway. Additionally, the certificates are available through our Career Center for students to complete alongside their coursework.”

Sarah Trzeciak, assistant vice chancellor, career development and immersive learning, CU Denver: “Employers want a degree and experience when they’re hiring entry-level positions now. These certificates are perfect for students who may not be able to complete an internship, are working full-time already, caretaking or just busy. Being able to complete a self-paced, industry-recognized certificate is a great way to stand out in the job market.”

Randall Fullington, assistant vice provost and executive director of academic and learning innovation, CU Boulder: “We see these certificates serving a couple of needs on campus. First, we find that students are hungry to add additional credentials to their resumes as they start looking for jobs. These certificates provide students with industry-recognized skills in verified badges, which is something employers are eager to see. Second, we’re seeing students interested in adding interdisciplinary elements to their majors. These certificates allow students to add business, computing and AI skills to their primary areas of interest, which opens up new avenues for creativity and innovation in their work.”

“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 the CU system and NASH 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.”

To expand access to microcredentials and AI skills to more students across the country, participating systems and institutions in the CoP receive:

• Targeted technical assistance and professional development from the University of Texas System, select experts, NASH and Google, including implementation plan support, PD sessions and ongoing coaching to ensure successful program delivery
• Networking and collaboration opportunities with other participating systems, including access to virtual and in-person convenings about microcredentials, AI and the future of work
• Access to resources and promising practices, including playbooks, case studies and marketing collateral
• Opportunities for sharing best practices and driving sector-wide progress
• $15,000 stipend per system to be used flexibly to support action-oriented outcomes

To learn more about the Google AI for Education Accelerator, visit: https://grow.google/certificates-academic-institutions/ 

To learn more about the NASH Microcredentials Community of Practice, visit: nash.edu/nash-google-microcredentials-partnership/