Date of Award
5-1-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Education
First Advisor
George S. McClellan
Second Advisor
Tony Ammeter
Third Advisor
Katie Busby
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape workforce demands and educational priorities, this partnership has emerged as a potentially effective mechanism for advancing equitable access to emerging technologies. However, limited research has explored how and why diverse organizations engage in such collaborations, particularly in regions facing persistent educational and economic disparities. This study examines the organizational motivations driving participation in the Mississippi AI Collaborative (MAIC), a multi-sector partnership involving a higher education institution, industry partners, nonprofits, and a K-12 system. While the MAIC focuses specifically on AI education and training, the purpose of this study is not to examine AI itself, but rather to use this initiative as context to explore broader questions of organizational motivation and partnership engagement.
Recommended Citation
Wells, Whitney, "Connecting the dots: HBCUs, access to AI education, and the realities of public-private collaboration" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8879.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/8879