Benedict College students receive tech training through program sponsored by Google

Listen to this article

Leadership from Benedict College, global edtech company TalentSprint and Google will host a special event on campus at 10 a.m. Friday, April 14 to celebrate the successful implementation of the TechWise program at Benedict.

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.

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.

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 an ambassador for the TechWise program. Google representatives, along with TalentSprint CEO and managing director Santanu Paul will also be in attendance.

“I’m thrilled to join leaders from Benedict College, Google and TalentSprint to celebrate the students participating in the TechWise program,” said Rep. Khanna.  “Students from HBCUs 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. “

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 the first cohort launched in early 2022, 18 Benedict students were selected to participate. Through their participation, the students developed technical proficiency through hands-on learning and tech career readiness training.

“We are honored to have been selected to participate in this powerful and innovative program,” said 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.”  

In its second cohort, TechWise will have students from eight different partner colleges across the country.  A total of 120 students nationwide – including seven fromBenedict – have been selected to participate.

“The TechWise program is an awesome opportunity for our students,” said Robert Garner, dean of the Benedict’s 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.”