Grant Office

Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) is launching a transformative initiative to position Minnesota as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) research, education, and workforce development.

• Build a cutting-edge AI research and training hub at CSP
• Expand access to advanced computing tools and AI infrastructure
• Provide hands-on learning opportunities for high school and college students
• Partner with Minnesota industries to develop real-world AI solutions
• Strengthen the statewide AI workforce pipeline

• High-Performance Computing Cluster (HPC): A powerful system to process complex datasets, train large AI models, and support collaborative research.
• AI Data Platform: Enterprise-grade infrastructure that enables the transformation of raw data into valuable insights and applications.
• Curriculum Development: New interdisciplinary coursework in AI, machine learning, and data analytics aligned with real-world industry needs.
• Workforce Training: AI-focused workshops, certifications, and short courses designed with employers to upskill Minnesota’s workforce.
• High School Outreach: Targeted programming to introduce students from rural and under-resourced communities to AI tools, career paths, and mentorship opportunities.

Minnesota’s key industries—healthcare, agriculture, finance, and manufacturing—are rapidly adopting AI technologies. However, the infrastructure and skilled workforce needed to support this growth remain limited. CSP’s AI initiative addresses this gap by connecting academic innovation with workforce demands, ensuring Minnesota stays competitive in a fast-evolving digital economy.

This initiative will:

• Establish St. Paul as a regional innovation hub
• Prepare students for high-demand AI careers
• Enable local companies to solve real-world problems through collaborative research
• Serve communities statewide, with special focus on rural and underserved areas

The project is led by Dr. Jake Trippel, Dean of CSP’s College of Business & Technology. With extensive experience in AI research across public and private sectors, Dr. Trippel brings the vision and expertise needed to lead this effort.

We’re building a future-ready workforce and driving innovation through collaboration. If you’re an industry partner, educator, policymaker, or community leader interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect. Contact Dr. Jake Trippel at [email protected].

Concordia University, Saint Paul is proud to announce a transformative initiative for our Physician Assistant (PA) Program—the development of a cutting-edge Advanced Simulation-Based Clinical Training Laboratory. This facility will play a vital role in preparing the next generation of physician assistants and nurses to meet Minnesota’s growing healthcare needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Across Minnesota, access to healthcare is increasingly strained. As of 2024:

• 80 out of 87 counties are designated as full or partial Health Professional Shortage Areas.
• Nearly 1 in 5 rural providers plan to leave the workforce within five years.
• One-third of rural physicians expect to retire or exit within that same period.

To address these urgent challenges, we must act now to expand and enhance our healthcare workforce pipeline.

This new facility will provide physician assistant and nursing students with hands-on experience in a simulated clinical setting before they enter their real-world clinical rotations. Key features include:

• Simulated human patients
• Electronic Medical Record training
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
• Telehealth tools and diagnostic technologies

Through repeated, high-stakes simulations, students will develop clinical confidence and competence, improving their readiness for rotations and practice in high-need areas.

This project directly supports Minnesota’s healthcare priorities:

• Expands access to care in underserved regions
• Strengthens rural healthcare systems by preparing students for the unique demands of those environments
• Supports job creation and workforce development in the healthcare sector

Moreover, the lab will serve as a collaborative learning environment, fostering interprofessional education with students in nursing and allied health fields.

The project is led by Dr. Jake Trippel, Dean of CSP’s College of Business & Technology. With extensive experience in AI research across public and private sectors, Dr. Trippel brings the vision and expertise needed to lead this effort.

We’re building a future-ready workforce and driving innovation through collaboration. If you’re an industry partner, educator, policymaker, or community leader interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect. Contact Eric Van Hecke at [email protected].