McMurry University has been selected for $2,845,646 in federal funding over a five-year project period through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. The first-year federal award is $1,138,403.
The grant will fund McMurry’s “Pathways to Purpose: An AI-forward Model for Integrated Advising, Learning, and Career Readiness” project, designed to help students complete their degrees with a clearer sense of their interests, strengths, and career goals. The project will run from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2031.
“This opportunity advances McMurry’s mission to prepare students for lives of leadership, service, and professional success by transforming advising and connecting our curriculum to emerging technologies and career-ready skills,” said Jori Sechrist, associate vice president for institutional effectiveness and student success and the project’s lead. “Our AI-enabled, human-led approach preserves the personal relationships at the heart of a McMurry education while preparing students to build expertise in their field of study, use AI responsibly and effectively, and lead in their professions.”
Through the project, McMurry will establish a coordinated academic advising model that combines personal guidance with AI tools to help students navigate academic and career choices. Students will develop AI literacy and learn to apply AI responsibly through their courses and learning experiences. AI-supported career exploration and progress tracking will help students prepare for life after graduation. The federal funding will also support campus technology improvements and professional development to help faculty and staff develop their own AI knowledge and skills.
“This grant represents an important investment in the strategic future of McMurry,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Cindy Martin said. “Pathways to Purpose advances our commitment to student success, academic innovation, and institutional strength by creating a more integrated educational experience for our students and stronger support systems for our faculty and staff. It positions McMurry to better serve our students and the broader community by ensuring graduates leave with the knowledge, adaptability, and sense of purpose needed to lead in a changing world.”
The project aims to improve students’ progress toward their degrees, career readiness, and placement after graduation.
The U.S. Department of Labor administers this grant on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. The project is 100% federally funded, with no non-governmental funds included in the approved project budget.
Contact
Juliana Fabrizio, Integrated Communications Coordinator
fabrizio.juliana@mcm.edu
325-793-3800, ext.1013