Cisco Invests $50,000 in AI Training and Student Support at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University received a $50,000 donation in February 2026 from Cisco to expand artificial intelligence training for faculty and staff while easing financial burdens for rising and graduating seniors. 

The funding is divided between two key initiatives: $30,000 will support the university’s Bridging the GAP program, which assists students nearing graduation, while the remaining $20,000 will fund Artificial Intelligence training for faculty and staff. University officials say the investment aims to better prepare students for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven workforce. 

For students, the impact of the donation is already generating attention and optimism. 

“I really think this is a good opportunity for the school as a rising senior,” said Wade Bradley, a Business Administration major with a minor in Management Information Systems. “I hope to be affected by the GAP program.” 

Isreal Valdovinos, also a Business Administration major, expressed curiosity about how the funding will influence classroom experiences. 

“I wonder what is going to change in the classrooms now that our teachers will be more immersed in AI,” Valdovinos said. 

Beyond financial support, the initiative includes a hands-on cybersecurity component. Faculty and staff participating in AI training will also engage in a cybersecurity internship designed to help establish a student-run security operations center. The center will focus on protecting digital systems while giving students real-world experience in cybersecurity practices. 

If successfully implemented, the program could create a more immersive learning environment where students gain practical skills that align with current industry demands. 

University leadership emphasized that the partnership reflects a broader effort to strengthen institutional and corporate collaboration. William Gibson, Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement, said the donation is part of a growing relationship with Cisco. 

“Cisco has been really good about trying to transform all their partnerships with institutions that use their goods and services, and Winston-Salem State was awarded the opportunity,” Gibson said. 

He added that the funding represents a starting point rather than a one-time contribution. 

“This fund is just the beginning for the Bridging the GAP program and will remain open for future donors,” Gibson said. 

Attempts to reach Vice Chancellor Kevan Turman for additional comment were unsuccessful due to university-related travel. 

As universities nationwide adapt to emerging technologies, this investment positions Winston-Salem State University to strengthen both academic instruction and student career readiness—particularly in high-demand fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.