Governor Raimondo Announces Partnership with Four Colleges & Universities to Introduce New Web Development Minors Program

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – During a visit today from U.S. Secretary of Education John B.
King Jr. at West Warwick High School, Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced the launch
of new web development minors at four Rhode Island colleges and universities. This
joint effort, spearheaded by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the University
of Rhode Island, will prepare undergraduates for high-paying and in-demand software
development careers.
«Every day in classrooms across the state, we’re exposing students to the many college
and career opportunities open to them when they pursue computer science,» said Governor
Raimondo. «I’m thrilled to launch these new minors so that all Rhode Island students
know they can keep going in this field after high school and compete for high-paying
jobs. This program is another example of how we’re leaving no stone unturned as
we work to provide all Rhode Islanders with opportunities to gain the skills they
need to enter new and successful careers and give our companies the tools they need
to succeed and expand in our state.»
The new minors program is a product of the combined work of the Rhode Island Commerce
Corporation, the University of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island
College and Bryant University. The program builds on the groundwork of Computer
Science for Rhode Island, which Governor Raimondo launched earlier this year to
position the state to lead with one of the most comprehensive computer sciences
initiatives in the country. Rhode Island is on track to put computer science in
every public school by December 2017 to ensure that every student, at every level,
has access to this critical skill as early as kindergarten.
«Many would argue that computer science courses should be required for every college
student in today’s digital age. We’re always looking for opportunities to enhance
our students’ education and their real-world skills,» said URI President David Dooley.
«Having a foundational understanding of computer science and coding can enhance
most areas of study while unlocking additional job opportunities in a student’s
industry of choice.»
«Rhode Island College continues to identify new ways to promote learning innovation,»
said RIC President Frank Sanchez. «These new minors are in complete alignment with
our efforts to ensure our students graduate with 21st-century skills.»
«Johnson & Wales University is a pioneering institution with a focus on experiential
learning,» said Frank Tweedie, Dean of the Johnson & Wales University School of
Engineering & Design. «These new minors are an added value to give our students
the opportunity to enhance their skill set and compete in the marketplace.»
«While this new minor will be a great complement for any concentration at Bryant,
our entrepreneurial students will have a leg up if they have a foundation in technology
and programming,» said Richard Glass, Professor of Computer Information Systems
at Bryant University.
«These new minors will provide thousands of students with the opportunity to gain
the 21st-century skills that many of our companies look for in job candidates,»
said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. «Because a minor doesn’t require additional
tuition or time, it has the potential to increase significantly the number of students
graduating with computer science training. Growing such a talent pipeline will give
our students, our businesses, and our state a competitive edge.»
The minors were developed with feedback from many leading Rhode Island companies.
The traditional computer science degree is not required for many high-paying,
entry-level
development positions.
«Candidates who’ve completed computer science minors along with majors in other
STEM fields have had great success with us,» said Nick Kishfy, CEO of MojoTech.
«Of course, we were thrilled when the state reached out for our input on this new,
innovative program.»
The new program will be fully integrated with TechHire Rhode Island, the state’s
tech workforce development effort that connects local employers seeking IT talent
with Rhode Islanders who are skilled in various areas of tech and programming.
«The minors will include capstone work where employers can present projects for
students to gain real-life experience,» said Damian Ewens, director of TechHire
Rhode Island. «In this manner, it provides employers with a new method for recruitment
while giving students hands-on learning opportunities that they would not be able
to find anywhere else.»
New minors are being developed at four of the state’s colleges. Students can enroll
in the University of Rhode Island’s new web development and enterprise programming
minors now and start taking required courses in January of 2017. Rhode Island College,
Johnson & Wales, and Bryant University have also designed web development minors
that are expected to launch in the fall of 2017.
Thanks to Computer Science for Rhode Island courses, some Rhode Island high school
students, including those the Governor and Secretary King visited at West Warwick
High School today, will be able to arrive at college with up to a third of their
minor already completed.
University of Rhode Island students can learn more about the new web development
minor and related careers at an info session tonight at 7:00 PM Memorial Union
Rm 314.