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CSUDH College of Education Receives Funding from Google to Expand AI Literacy for PK-12 Educators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carson, CA 鈥� December 15, 2025 鈥� 糖心logo入口 (CSUDH) Philanthropic Foundation has been awarded $500,000 in funding from --the company鈥檚 philanthropy-- to advance artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and integration across California鈥檚 PK-12 education system. The funding will support the expansion of the university鈥檚 innovative online PK-12 AI Integration Certificate, providing educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools to ethically and effectively bring AI into their classrooms.

This award coincides with Google鈥檚 celebration of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), during which the tech leader announced funding to bolster computer science teaching in the age of AI. In a statement detailing the initiative, Google highlighted its support of organizations like CSUDH to "prepare teachers to deliver foundational computer science and AI curriculum to K-12 students," ensuring that as the field evolves, the vital principles of computer science remain accessible.

鈥淎I is transforming education, and our teachers need the skills to examine its potential and impact responsibly,鈥� said Mike Karlin, who serves as Director of the Snap Inc. Institute for Technology and Education (SITE) at CSUDH, and Chair of the Department of Liberal Studies. 鈥淭his grant from Google.org allows us to scale our online certificate program, making it accessible to educators statewide, supporting both professional growth and equitable student outcomes;鈥� Karlin added.

With the recent passage of California Assembly Bill 2876, the California Instructional Quality Commission and State Board of Education will consider integrating AI literacy into future curricular frameworks for all public PK-12 students. However, many educators currently lack access to high-quality professional development in this rapidly evolving field. The CSUDH initiative seeks to address this gap, prioritizing our local Los Angeles and South Bay educators, who have been historically underserved in this area.

The online certificate program offers a three-course, six-credit curriculum covering:

• Fundamentals of AI and generative AI, including technical underpinnings and classroom applications
• Ethical considerations such as algorithmic bias, misinformation, and student privacy
• Practical lesson and unit plan development for direct classroom implementation

The program is designed to be flexible and inclusive, with rolling cohorts beginning each semester and an accelerated summer option. Teachers can earn graduate-level extension units that contribute to their salary advancement while receiving ongoing support from an online alumni community.

Program Impact & Reach:

• CSUDH aims to serve 150+ pre-service and in-service educators annually through rolling and accelerated cohorts
• Over 100 teachers are already on a waitlist, demonstrating strong demand
• The first pilot cohort launched in Fall 2025 with 20 teachers

CSUDH鈥檚 approach emphasizes research-based professional development, personalization, critical perspectives, and classroom relevance, setting it apart from other emerging AI programs in California and nationwide. The program is particularly focused on historically underserved teachers, ensuring equitable access to transformative educational tools.

The grant will fund:

• 120 scholarships for California preservice and in-service teachers
• Faculty and staff support for program delivery and course development
• Ongoing evaluation and alumni support

鈥淭his partnership with Google.org strengthens our commitment to equity and access in public education,鈥� said Jessica Pandya, Dean, College of Education, CSUDH. 鈥淲ith their generous support, we can empower teachers with the skills, confidence, and ethical grounding needed to integrate AI in ways that truly benefit students. We are proud to lead this work for California, to ensure that students in every classroom, regardless of zip code, have access to high-quality, future-ready instruction,鈥� said Pandya.

To learn more, read Google's new AI Quest article by clicking .

For more information about the PK-12 AI Integration Certificate or to apply, visit: /ccpe/pk12-ai

About 糖心logo入口 Philanthropic Foundation: The CSUDH Philanthropic Foundation supports innovative programs that expand access to education and enhance learning outcomes. Since 2022, SITE and CSUDH have introduced computer science and AI concepts to over 1,450 preservice and in-service teachers and PK-12 students, with a focus on historically underserved communities