Grant helps
disadvantaged bridge
gap to digital careers

By Russ White

The Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media (TC) at MSU announced it has received a $25,000 SBC Excelerator competitive technology grant from the SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications Inc.

The grant will allow the MSU TC department, in cooperation with the Closing the Digital Gap (CTDG) program and the Black Child and Family Institute, to offer desk top publishing and Web design training to economically disadvantaged individuals in the Greater Lansing Area.

“This grant will allow us to open up a whole new world of opportunities in traditional and digital publishing to program participants,” said Mark Levy, chairperson of the MSU Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media.

As part of the SBC Excelerator program, the SBC Foundation will award nearly $1 million to 50 Michigan organizations this year to further projects that use advanced technology to build stronger communities throughout the state. More than 325 nonprofit organizations in Michigan applied for 2003 SBC Excelerator grants.

The new initiative expands on a partnership that already exists between MSU’s TC Department and CTDG. The Closing the Digital Gap program is housed at the Black Child and Family Institute and offers basic computer skills training to economically disadvantaged populations. With past SBC support, the MSU TC department partnered with the Closing the Digital Gap program to teach program graduates additional technical skills that would prepare them for careers as computer technicians. The new initiative will again involve advanced TC students as mentors for program participants.

“This is a win-win situation,” said James Spaniolo, dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU. “Our students win by getting valuable experiences teaching others the skills they have acquired in our academic programs. Participants win by acquiring highly marketable new skills that will expand their job horizons.”

The Department of Telecommunication will provide the faculty and student mentors for the program, and participants will be recruited through the Closing the Digital Gap program. Both groups are working together to develop curriculum that is sensitive to the needs of participants with varying levels of education and experience.

“We are very excited to further our partnership with MSU in order to offer the populations we serve more career training options in the area of digital publishing,” said Marcus Jefferson, director of the Closing the Digital Gap program. “We are very grateful to the SBC Foundation for making this initiative possible.”

“SBC recognizes the critical role technology plays in addressing economic, educational, community development and quality of life issues in Michigan,” said Mary Roehr, SBC Michigan director of government and external affairs. “Through the SBC Excelerator grant program, we’re able to help Michigan nonprofit organizations benefit from the promise of technology. We applaud the MSU TC department, Closing the Digital Gap and the Black Child and Family Institute for developing this unique collaborative initiative that will help people overcome financial and educational deficits to pursue new careers in the area of digital publishing.”

Copyright 2001 Michigan State University Division of University Relations.