Local high school students graduate from Information Technology Academy

On Saturday, June 2, 14 area high school students will receive Certificates of Graduation for completing an intensive information technology training program through the University of Wisconsin–Madison called the Information Technology Academy (ITA).

ITA is a four-year precollege program that provides hands-on training and access to technology for talented students of color and economically disadvantaged students attending Madison public schools. During their four-year ITA experience, the students meet biweekly during the academic year to learn Web design, animation, graphic design and other technology skills. They also participate in two-week technology training camps in the summer, hone their technical skills in short-term internships and strengthen their leadership skills through community service projects. Their learning and development is further enhanced through matches with mentors, who help guide and support students during their involvement with the program.

The graduation event will be held from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on June 2 in the Alumni Lounge at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison. The program will include a keynote address by Carl Grant, a professor with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

One hundred percent of this year’s graduating class members are going to attend higher education institutions this fall. To date, 51 students have graduated from ITA, and 49 of them are now enrolled at UW–Madison or other postsecondary educational institutions.

Additional funding has allowed ITA to begin an expansion process this year that will double the size of the program by the 2009-10 school year. A new cohort of 30 students will be selected by mid-May to begin their first year of the program in August.

ITA is made possible by the UW–Madison Division of Information Technology (DoIT), the UW–Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration, the Pre-College Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence, Berbee, Dell Computers and many other sponsors.

For more information about ITA or the graduation program, contact Erica Laughlin at (608) 265-2408.