Diverse Tech-Talent Pipeline for Innovation
Building a diverse tech-talent pipeline through intentional learning communities, centered on public interest technology. Year 2 focuses on community-based projects, marketable skills, and degree programs.
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Calling all innovators, influencers, and activists : Building a diverse tech-talent pipeline through intentional learning communities Rev. Dr. Katie Cumiskey Professor/Academic Coordinator CSI St. George
Building a diverse tech-talent pipeline Located at the St. George extension of CSI, a cohort of 24 incoming first-year students were recruited from 4 area feeder high schools. These 24 students participated in a pre-college paid summer workshop series focused on college readiness and tech in the public interest. They were all matriculated into CSI for Fall 2020 taking the majority of their general education courses together for their entire first year.
Intentional PIT Learning Community We partnered with faculty and with the CSI Tech Incubator. All of the courses in the first-year learning community had modules focused on public interest technology (PIT) & synergistic events and activities. 17 of the original 24 students are slated to have successfully completed their first year. All 17 students are continuing to be a part of the community in for 2ndYear.
Open Ed Resources and Tech Access IS Public Interest Technology (but not enough) We received additional support to build OER into these courses and we were able to offer a full first-year of courses at low to no textbook cost for the students. We were able to buy all the students laptops. We supported student involvement in building peer support networks utilizing low-cost, lo-fi applications.
Year 2 Highlights We will engage more community partners to develop community-based PIT projects. Students will earn a marketable tech skill in user interface and user experience from a PIT perspective. This includes BIPOC representation in PIT. Developing 2 new courses: Digital Media Leadership & Public Policy; PIT Internship Course; Building a BA degree in PIT through the CUNY BA program. Creating a student club and peer mentorship program in partnership with Howard University. Students will earn their Associates Degree by June 2022.
Findings from Year 1 Pandemic allowed for us to make PIT central to how we formed community through mediated communication (Discord, Zoom) We engaged the assets of students to encourage buy-in to Public Interest Tech Building our PIT learning community is centering new discourse in antiracist and antipoverty movements and pedagogy as we leverage tech skill to support locally driven solutions to social injustices. PIT has provided an interdisciplinary venue to drive workforce development for a 21st Century, post-pandemic world. Moving definitions of academic success beyond GPA to operationalize: persistence, peer support networks and vocational identity.
