UW graduates first high-school class of tech leaders

UW–Madison’s Information Technology Academy has graduated its first class of 13 students. Now finishing their senior year in high school, the students plan to continue their education at two-year and four-year institutions, with eight enrolling at UW–Madison. A graduation celebration is planned for Saturday, June 5, at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St.

ITA is a four-year, pre-college program that provides training and access to technology for talented students of color and economically disadvantaged students who are attending the Madison Metropolitan School District. During their four-year ITA experience, the students met biweekly during the academic year to learn Web design, animation, graphic design and other technology skills, participated in two-week Technology Training Camps during the summer, and honed their tech skills in short-term internships. Students also took part in technology workshops, study circles, academic and career seminars, and leadership meetings.

The ITA graduates attending UW–Madison will participate in the PEOPLE (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence, an ITA sponsor) Program, which includes organized meetings, academic support (through such programs as TRIO and the Academic Advancement Program), and advising. They will also be invited to ITA events and encouraged to apply for student employment with ITA and other groups in UW–Madison’s Division of Information Technology. ITA will also work to maintain ties between the students and their ITA mentors.

ITA will monitor the college progress of students not attending UW–Madison and will invite them to ITA annual events. ITA hopes to track their matriculation rates as well.

“We thank the campus units that partnered with ITA to ensure a smooth transition to college for these students,” said ITA Director Erica Laughlin. “They include the PEOPLE program, the College of Engineering’s PIPEline program, the College of Letters & Science Summer Collegiate Experience, TRIO, the Academic Advancement Program, and many others. Thanks also go to all the DoIT staff who contributed their time as ITA mentors, instructors, volunteers, tour guides and guest speakers.”

DoIT sponsors ITA, with major funding from the PEOPLE Program, the Evjue Foundation and the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools. For a complete list of sponsors, visit the ITA Web page.