Publish Date: Mar 25, 2015
SALINAS, Calif. – On Friday, March 20, 2015, Hartnell Community College District and Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) were awarded an Innovation in Higher Education award in the amount of $5 million for the collaborative efforts with CSIT-in-3, program that enables students in a cohort-model to earn a bachelor in computer science in three years.
“CSIT-in-3 is being recognized for its value and importance,” said Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen. “It raises visibility and places us on the map as a model to other institutions.”
This award is part of Governor Jerry Brown’s pledge of $50 million to reward colleges and universities for creative and cost-effective approaches to getting more students to earn degrees in less time. CSUMB earned an additional $3 million for approach to math remediation.
“We are proud of the success of the program and are pleased to see if recognized on both a stage and national level,” expressed President of CSUMB, Dr. Eduardo Ochoa. “None of this would have been possible without the support of the Matsui Foundation, whose generosity laid the groundwork for CSIT-in-3.”
In 2012, the two schools joined forces to create CSIT-in-3, and accepted its first class in the fall of 2013. This program addresses both the need to bring high-demand, high-paying technology opportunities to students in our region. Of the students participating, more than 80% are Latino, and more than 40% are women, plus a majority is the first in their family to attend college.
“Recent employment data from the major companies in Silicon Valley has revealed that less than 5% of the technical workforce is from underrepresented minorities and women are significantly underrepresented as well,” said Dr. Lewallen. “If Silicon Valley companies want to make progress toward diversity and inclusion and at the same time hire highly talented and motivated computer scientists, they don't have to look very far.”
CSIT-in-3 is co-directed by Joe Welch from Hartnell and Sathya Narayanan from CSUMB; together with Project Manager, Melvin Jimenez, they have successfully recruited the 36 students in cohort #3 to start the coursework fall 2015.
This is an award that will allow both educational institutions to sustain or expand the program. The $5 million award will be split evenly among Hartnell and CSUMB.
Hartnell Community College District
The Hartnell CCD serves over 15,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides workforce training, basic skills courses, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world class STEM education, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities, and athletics. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.