Program Launch
On March 11, 2026, scholars, faculty and staff, internship host partners, and university leadership gathered at Bowie State University to celebrate a new beginning: the official launch of the ExLENT Program.
The moment had been a while in the making. Bowie State had recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant of approximately $1 million to support experiential learning and workforce development in artificial intelligence, and the launch was a chance to bring everyone together and mark what that investment would mean for students. The Provost and Dean represented university leadership, joining the program team, scholars, industry partners, and an NSF program representative for the celebration.
Opening the ExLENT Lab
One of the day's biggest highlights was the opening of the ExLENT Lab. Designed with scholars in mind, the lab is a dedicated space for AI training, mentorship, collaborative projects, and hands-on learning. It gives scholars a place of their own to build skills, work through problems together, and connect with the people supporting them.
Sharing the Vision
Dr. Rosemary Shumba spoke about the vision, goals, and expectations of the ExLENT initiative, and about its commitment to preparing students for the growing opportunities in artificial intelligence.
Internship host partners also took the floor, sharing their own expectations for the program and giving scholars an honest picture of what their upcoming internships would involve.
Meeting the People Behind the Internships
For many scholars, the most valuable part of the day was the chance to meet their internship partners face to face. They started building professional relationships, asked questions, and learned more about the organizations and projects they would soon be supporting. It was the first real step from preparing for an internship to actually having one.