Butler Community College in Andover to Launch AI-Enhanced Software Development Program This Fall

Butler Community College is updating its Software Development program by adding a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) track, starting in the Fall semester of 2024. This new track aims to serve recent high school graduates and adults returning to education. It will be offered at the Andover campus, with classes beginning on August 19, 2024. This addition responds to the increasing demand for AI skills in the workforce, as indicated by Kansas’ Longterm Occupational Projections, which foresee significant career opportunities in the AI field.

The AI focus within the Software Development program is supported by the college’s Information Systems/Software Development Department’s Industry Advisory Committee. This group, made up of local industry experts, has recognized a regional demand for AI technologies and skills. The updated curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills to automate systems and solve complex problems using AI.

Mark Meadows, an experienced software development instructor at Butler, will lead the program. Meadows has an engineering background and extensive experience with Machine Learning at Boeing/Spirit companies. His participation in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs adds value to the students’ learning experience.

The program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students will participate in projects and classes involving image recognition, machine learning, and robotics programming. They will use Python to program a VEX robot and an AWS DeepRacer car with regression modeling, preparing them for real-world AI applications across various industries.

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