SUMMARY: JMU and CGI have launched the NSF-funded Bridge2AI program to create AI career pathways for rural communities, starting with nine fellows from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
James Madison University, in partnership with CGI, will welcome the first cohort of nine fellows into the Bridge2AI program at a Jan. 14 orientation event in Lebanon, Virginia.
Funded by the National Science Foundation in fall 2025, Bridge2AI is designed to promote artificial intelligence (AI) workforce development in rural communities through strong university–industry partnerships. The cohort participants are professionals who are interested in pivoting into the AI or AI-related careers; current participants are from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
Over the next three years, JMU faculty and CGI partners will collaborate to implement this initiative. The interdisciplinary faculty team includes members from JMU’s College of Education, College of Integrated Science and Engineering and the College of Business. Together with CGI partners, the team will create career pathways in AI for at least 24 fellows from rural communities, with the goal of strengthening the local economy through emerging technologies and workforce development. The project is further supported by JMU’s Center for Advancement Research in Education (JMU CARE), which provides post-award administrative support.
“This initiative showcases JMU’s commitment to supporting learners and communities around us,” said Mark L’Esperance, the dean of JMU’s College of Education. “It’s really exciting to see our faculty being recognized and encouraged to continue to make real-world impacts.”
Led by Ying Jin, associate professor in the Department of Learning, Technology, and Leadership Education, the project will engage Bridge2AI fellows in a structured sequence of learning experiences, including a paid 10-week internship.
“This initiative will address the critical gaps in traditional education and workforce development in emerging technologies in rural communities,” said Jin. “By combining university-based mentoring support and hands-on, work-based learning experiences, Bridge2AI is designed to help fellows build both technical skills and professional confidence.”
“This project strives to provide essential career resources such as mentoring and networking to underutilized communities,” said Maryam Sharifian, executive director of JMU CARE. “By raising awareness of artificial intelligence and promoting a resilient AI workforce, we can help sustain workforce growth across the region.”
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 94,000 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions.
“CGI’s partnership with James Madison University and community leaders across the Commonwealth of Virginia helps unlock the potential of rural talent through the NSF ExLENT EDU RURAL initiative,” said Aaron Mathes, senior vice-president Consulting Services for state and local government and commercial client engagement, CGI. “This grant strengthens our commitment to building dynamic, AI-enabled career pathways through tech apprenticeships and mentoring, ensuring rural communities are not just included in the digital future, but helping to shape it.”
The project will also involve five community partners committed to technological advancement and local economic growth. By connecting academia, industry and local communities, the program aims to expand access to technology education and foster long-term, stable job growth.