Jump to Section what is blockchain? Goals Curriculum About the Grant Program Highlights Contact Home / Academics / Academic Innovation / Blockchain Blockchain at Jackson College Jackson College is pleased to announce that it has received an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation for $349,846! The three-year grant will fund the College’s new curriculum and program for blockchain education. What is Blockchain? A blockchain is a new kind of database that is shared across many computers. It is peer-owned and peer-checked for accuracy, with public and private keys offered for access. Once something is added to the chain, it is very hard to change. It was first created for Bitcoin and is often linked to cryptocurrencies, but it has many other uses. Blockchain is a powerful network where people can share and track things like orders, payments, and health records. It is secure, reliable, and can’t be easily altered. More and more people around the world are starting to use blockchain, and its use is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, in energy, health care, manufacturing and many more. Goals Goal 1: Blockchain Curriculum Develop and implement blockchain curriculum through focused course modules, new course design, and advisory committee review Activities Four new college courses for integration into existing Associate of Applied Science degree(s) Two micro-credentials or certificates developed Advisory Committee established Goal 2: Recruitment Strategy Develop marketing and recruitment materials while also coordinating and hosting outreach activities for students and employers Activities News release Local TV appearance Web page www.jccmi.edu/blockchain Hands-on activities/training Goal 3: Professional Development Principal Investigators completed extensive professional development in blockchain and emerging technologies through various training programs; now enrolled in The Blockchain Academy’s comprehensive certification series Activities Professional development & training Community outreach Community partner meetings Curriculum Jackson College offers two new certificates in blockchain technology, giving students the opportunity to build in-demand skills in blockchain, Web3, smart contracts and other emerging technologies. Blockchain Foundations Certificate The Blockchain Foundations Certificate introduces students to blockchain, cryptography and smart contracts while building foundational skills in technology, communication, problem-solving and logical reasoning. It prepares students for continued study or entry-level roles in emerging digital technologies. Blockchain Foundations Curriculum Blockchain Web3 Technician Certificate The Blockchain Web3 Technician Certificate prepares students for technical roles in blockchain and decentralized applications. Students gain hands-on experience developing smart contracts, integrating Web3 applications, and applying technical skills through a capstone project focused on real-world industry needs. Blockchain Web3 Technician Curriculum About the Grant College awarded National Science Foundation grant for blockchain technology project Jackson College is pleased to announce that it has received an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation for $349,846! The three-year grant will fund the College’s new curriculum and program for blockchain education. Jackson will be the first college in the region to offer blockchain courses and credentials that are accredited and eligible for financial aid. The College will develop an innovative curriculum aligned with industry standards and trends, recruit and retain students interested in blockchain technology, and offer professional development for faculty and community members. “We are so excited to receive Jackson College’s first National Science Foundation grant. Few community colleges receive NSF awards; this is a history-making moment,” said Jackson College President & CEO, Daniel J. Phelan. “Developing a blockchain program on campus will ultimately help our students in this expanding, decentralized network industry. We look forward to being at the forefront of this emerging field.” Professors Angel Fonseca and Dianne Hill, from JC’s Computer and Information Services area, wrote the grant proposal with support from many departments across the College. They began planning with guidance from FORCCE-ATE, FORTifying Cybersecurity and Computing through ATE Grants. Through the process of learning about the technology, both professors became Blockchain Essentials certified through Cornell University. Program Highlights Year One Highlights Professional Development Blockchain Training Alliance: Industry-recognized training modules covering blockchain fundamentals and enterprise applications. IBM Blockchain Framework and Platforms: Hands-on exposure to IBM’s blockchain architecture and tools for building decentralized solutions. Hedera Network on Blockchain: Introduction to Hedera’s public ledger and consensus service for scalable blockchain applications. Khan Blockchain Training: Accessible learning paths for blockchain basics, smart contracts, and decentralized systems. The Blockchain Academy | Web3 Certification: Certification program focused on Web3 technologies, including NFTs, DAOs, and DeFi. Events & Engagement Starry Night Event: Oct. 10, 2024Presented session on Blockchain’s impact on industry, supply chains, and operations.Blockchain Session Images Blockchain Breakfast: June 4, 2025Morning meetup on blockchain’s role in key industries and Jackson College’s student prep.Blockchain Breakfast FlyerParticipant Survey Results JTV Appearance: August 24, 2025 Manufacturing Trade Show: Sept. 25, 2025Presented session on Blockchain’s impact on industry, supply chains, and operations. Reports & Evaluation Annual Report – NSF Approved (Year 1)Summary of program outcomes, milestones, and NSF-reviewed achievements from the first year. ATE Impacts Report (2025)Highlights curriculum, outreach, and training goals for building a blockchain-ready workforce. Evaluators Report / Dashboard Year Two Highlights Blockchain Foundations Certificate Curriculum Sheet Blockchain Web3 Technician Certificate Curriculum Sheet Jackson College Certificate Action Letter Blockchain Grant Year Two Evaluation Report We have an overlay Contact Angel Fonseca Principal InvestigatorFonsecaAngelM@jccmi.edu Dianne Hill Co-Principal InvestigatorHillDianneM@jccmi.edu This material on this website is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. ATE 2349967.Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
