PETERSBURG, Va. — Author's note: The above video is on file from August 8, 2021.
Virginia State University, Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina and Apple are working together to provide students and community members with the chance to advance their technology skills through a community education initiative. It's meant to help weave coding opportunities into the universities curriculums.
The program is a part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2. The initiative is designed to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to expand technology and creativity experiences within their institutions and broader communities.
With a $100 million commitment pledged by Apple last year to fund its racial equity initiative, which aims to advance equity in the technology industry, this investment is part of $30 million in new projects being spearheaded by the technology giant. The $30 million will go to several institutions, including the new developments at VSU and ECSU.
Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the VSU College of Engineering and Technology, said the timing is just right.
“This past year has shed light on the importance of technology in our ever-advancing global society. This new initiative and partnership with Apple provides our students an opportunity to further be a part of the revolutionary world of technology,” Haile said. “This tech world can open additional doors for our Trojan community — providing them opportunities to take part in what may be the next global technological revolution.”
Faculty at VSU and ECSU will get training and equipment from Apple personnel in coding and app development, which will then allow them to develop programs for their students, titled "Everyone Can Code" and "Everyone Can Create."
Examples of some of the development include iPad and Mac labs, student jobs, scholarship opportunities and funding for staff.
All of this is designed to help the institutions stand apart as an HBCU leaders in technology growth and development.
“Virginia State University is intentional in consistently seeking opportunities to grow and expand our services and our resources available for students and staff. This initiative may not only mean opportunities for our Trojan Family, but for members of the Petersburg, Richmond, and Chesterfield County greater communities as well. This is another example of the greater opportunities that happen here at VSU,” said Dr. Donald E. Palm, the provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs.
On September 1, Elizabeth City State University announced that they had also joined the partnership.
“Partnering with HBCUs across the country to expand career opportunities for our students and communities is an important step to establishing a strong footing for future careers,” said ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “Coding and STEM development and our partnership with Apple and the other HBCU C2 centers provides an opportunity for students to gain more skills that will prepare them for an increasingly competitive workforce. We are excited to be a part of this important collaboration.”
These community coding partnerships are part of nearly four dozen available nationwide since 2019 between HBCU higher learning institutions and Apple.