ITR: The Community Information Technology Entrepreneurship Project

Loyola University Of Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

EIA-0205652 Salchenberger, Linda Loyola University of Chicago Title: ITR: The Community Information Technology Entrepreneurship Project Loyola University has been awarded an ITR grant to educate students and contribute to the economic development of impoverished communities by means of collaborative projects with small community businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Chicago and surrounding areas that are heavily populated with groups that are under-represented in science and technology. The project will build a technology outreach program that brings together in a mentoring relationship, faculty, students and community members to create an IT entrepreneurship program which focuses on business software development Two academic goals of the project are to enhance the computer science education and experience of university students, and instill a sense of civic engagement in students and faculty. The research design will use data gathering and analysis techniques to measure outcomes related to these and other goals. The benefits to Loyola students will include hands-on experience in helping to develop real world software applications, as well as an understanding of the poor communities. The benefits to the Austin community include the learning of IT skills, a sense of entrepreneurship in IT and improvement in their environment coupled with financial gains.