Quantum@MTSU: QSI Initiative and Education at an Emerging R2 University

To address the critical shortage of quantum-aware and quantum-trained professionals in Middle Tennessee, the MTSU Quantum Initiative at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), an emerging R2 university, is making significant strides in preparing the next generation of the quantum workforce. In partnership with three nearby HBCUs—Tennessee State University (TSU), Meharry College, and Fisk University—we have piloted an introductory course in quantum information for an interdisciplinary cohort of students from physics, computer science, engineering, math, and chemistry departments. Our initiative focuses on undergraduate education, particularly targeting students from underrepresented groups. Additianlly, starting Fall 2024, MTSU has launched a QIS concentration, providing students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed for careers in quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications. Beyond the classroom, the initiative features hands-on summer camps for high school stunets, "Train the trainer" programs, and Quantum Computing Club, offering practical, experiential learning opportunities for a diverse learners. In this talk, I will present the successes and lessons learned from our efforts, offering insights that could benefit other R2, HBCU and primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) looking to integrate quantum education into their programs. Our experiences demonstrate how initiatives like ours can create pathways for underrepresented students in STEM to enter the rapidly growing quantum field, with the hope of inspiring similar efforts at institutions nationwide.