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HGTC Leads the Way in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

(Conway, SC) 08/12/2025

HGTC Leaders Champion Artificial Intelligence Innovators CertificateHGTC Leads the Way in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity

Pictured from left to right: Terry Quaresimo, HGTC Associate Vice President for Technology Solutions; Harold Hawley, CPA, HGTC Vice President of Finance & Administration; Dr. Marilyn Fore, HGTC President; Dr. Theresa Strong, HGTC Assistant Vice President & Dean of the School of Business, Computer Technology, English, Math, and Personal Services; Matthew Servedio, HGTC Academic Chair, Computer Technology, Cybersecurity, and Digital Arts

兔子先生 () is transforming what it means to be a 21st-century technical college. This spring, HGTC is introducing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovators Certificate, the flagship of a sweeping campus-wide initiative positioning the college as South Carolina鈥檚 undisputed leader in AI and cybersecurity education, training, and workforce innovation.

HGTC will not simply add artificial intelligence to the curriculum, it will embed AI into every layer of the institution. From administrative operations to academic programs, from facility management to student support services, HGTC is redefining how higher education prepares the workforce for a data-driven, AI-powered economy.

鈥淲e are entering a new era of opportunity, and HGTC is prepared to lead,鈥� said Dr. Marilyn 鈥淢urph鈥� Fore, President of HGTC. 鈥淥ur mission is not just to respond to the future, but to also shape it for our students, for our state, and for the industries we serve. This commitment to AI is more than an academic pivot. It鈥檚 a promise to the people of South Carolina.鈥�

Launching in Spring 2026, the AI Innovators Certificate offers students and working professionals a foundational credential applicable across industries, including business, healthcare, cybersecurity, criminal justice, and advanced manufacturing. The program is part of a larger AI-forward initiative that integrates intelligent technologies into more than a dozen existing academic pathways.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not adding AI to the margins of what we do, we鈥檙e putting it at the center,鈥� Dr. Fore added. 鈥淭his is about excellence, relevance, and leadership. HGTC is committed to preparing the talent South Carolina needs to compete and lead in the AI-powered economy.鈥�

Over the next two (2) years, HGTC will continue integrating AI content into all instructional divisions, backed by faculty development, interdisciplinary research, and workforce alignment. Key elements of this transformation include:

  • AI Across the Curriculum: Integration of AI tools, ethics, and applications in programs like HVAC, business, nursing, and criminal justice.
  • Faculty AI Academy: Professional development focused on AI trends and classroom application.
  • AI Innovation Hub: A dedicated space for research, simulation, and employer collaboration.
  • Regional AI Workforce Council: A cross-sector partnership of educators, employers, and economic leaders aligning talent pipelines with industry needs.
  • Emerging Tech Lab: A new facility focused on technologies like automation, predictive analytics, and cloud computing.

鈥淭his is not a tech initiative, it鈥檚 a college initiative,鈥� said Dr. Theresa Strong, HGTC Assistant Vice President and Dean, who helped develop the curriculum. 鈥淗GTC is not just responding to change, we are also driving it.鈥�

HGTC is already leveraging artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, accuracy, and student services across campus operations:

  • Facilities & Maintenance: AI applications for predictive maintenance, 3D space planning, and staff cross-training across 31 buildings.
  • Finance: Automated contract creation, bank reconciliations, and AI-assisted white paper development for regulatory agencies.
  • Workplace Communication: Multilingual AI translation tools support inclusive communication for non-native English speakers.
  • Human Resources: AI-generated performance evaluations and conflict-resolution scripts streamline personnel management.
  • Marketing: HGTC鈥檚 marketing team uses Monday.com with AI features like Monday Magic and Monday Sidekick to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and improve productivity. AI also powers targeted advertising on Meta and Google Ads, automatically testing creatives, refining audiences, and optimizing campaigns for better reach and ROI.
  • Public Relations & Communications: HGTC鈥檚 PR and Communications team uses AI-powered tools to assist with media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and trend tracking to identify opportunities for positive coverage. Content creation is also enhanced through AI-driven suggestions.

Inside the classroom, AI tools are reshaping how students learn and how faculty teach:

  • AI Tutor Pro, integrated into course platforms, offers around the clock support for students.
  • Lumi, a new AI-powered grading and feedback tool, is being rolled out in HGTC鈥檚 learning management system.
  • The Shared Reads program and AI Week events are fostering dialogue around ethical use and student innovation.
  • Students in criminal justice, golf and sports turf management, healthcare, and HVAC programs are already working with AI-driven technologies in real-world scenarios.

In partnership with Ellucian, HGTC is using Ellucian Insights, a cloud-based analytics platform, to foster a data-driven culture across all departments. Real-time insights now inform everything from budgeting to strategic planning and student retention initiatives.

HGTC is also planning:

  • Migration of ERP systems to the cloud, embedding AI to improve accuracy, speed, and auditing across payroll, financial aid, and procurement.
  • Creation of community and business AI workshops, fostering public understanding and workplace readiness.
  • A new building dedicated to emerging technologies, developed in collaboration with global consulting leaders like McKinsey, Deloitte, and BCG.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no version of the future where AI isn鈥檛 present,鈥� said Dr. Strong. 鈥淚f we want South Carolina to be competitive, we need to educate for that reality now. HGTC is doing exactly that.鈥�

HGTC鈥檚 AI commitment emphasizes its vision to be recognized as the premier institution for workforce development and technological advancement in South Carolina and beyond.

Enrollment for the Artificial Intelligence Innovators Certificate opens October 27, 2025.

To learn more, contact Dr. Theresa Strong at theresa.strong@hgtc.edu.