Executives from TalentSprint and Google to visit the Midlands Campus on Friday, April 14, 2023 David H. Swinton Center Ballroom 1616 Oak St, Columbia, SC 29204
Columbia, SC – April 10, 2023– Leadership from Benedict College, global edtech company TalentSprint and Google will host a special event on April 14 at 10am to celebrate the successful implementation of the TechWise program. Benedict is among the first schools in the U.S. to be included in the TechWise Program, which is offered by TalentSprint and supported by Google.
Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents California’s 17th Congressional District in the heart of Silicon Valley, will be speaking at the event. Rep. Khanna is committed to spreading good paying jobs and opportunities across the country and is a proud ambassador for the TechWise program. Google along with TalentSprint CEO and Managing Director Santanu Paul will also be speaking during the event.
“I’m thrilled to join leaders from Benedict College, Google and TalentSprint to celebrate the students participating in the TechWise program,” said Rep. Khanna. “HBCU students already have the talent to become leading software engineers, but the disconnect is in recruiting and partnership from the tech companies. This is a chance to help change that and expand good-paying jobs and tech opportunities to places outside of Silicon Valley. I’m proud to have worked with Google and the Benedict Administration to help set up this program.”
The TechWise Program is designed to help empower students from all backgrounds to become world-class, entry-level software engineers by the time they graduate college and complete the 18-month virtual program. Students selected for the program receive the entire training at zero cost, along with a $5,000 stipend to offset the additional time commitment required to successfully complete the program. Students have access to one-on-one mentoring from a current Google software engineer that helps them gain valuable experience learning and performing the role of a software engineer.
In its first cohort that was launched in February 2022, 18 Benedict students were selected for this life-changing opportunity to work in the computer science field. The program is designed to create entry-level software developers. While participating in the program, the students developed technical proficiency as they received hands-on learning, confidence, and tech career readiness.
“We are honored to have been selected to participate in this powerful and innovative program,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Partnering with Google and TalentSprint in one of the fastest growing fields of computer science and software development gives our students a distinct advantage in the tech marketplace.”
“The TechWise program is an awesome opportunity for our students. It enables them to learn from and network with personnel of leading tech companies,” noted Dr. Robert Garner, Dean of the Benedict College School of Science and Engineering. “Upon completion of the program, the students receive a credential that will open doors to exciting employment opportunities. Additionally, this program showcases the talent we have at Benedict College and will be an engine to diversify Silicon Valley.”
In its second cohort, TechWise will have students from eight different partner colleges across the country. A total of 120 students nationwide – including 7 students from Benedict – have been selected to participate.
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About Benedict College (benedict.edu)
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private coeducational liberal arts institution, offering 26 competitive baccalaureate degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty and importantly, 80 percent of courses are taught by full-time faculty.
