Preparing Computer Science Professionals for Rural Vermont

Lyndon State College, Lyndonville VT

Investigators

Abstract

Over a four-year period, this project provides scholarships to 20 economically disadvantaged, first-generation students who are pursuing a B.S. in Computer Information Science, and an A.S. in Computer Science. Participants are selected largely from the rural, and economically distressed area of Vermont. Scholarship recipients are full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need, academic potential, and a desire to enter the fields of Computer Science or Interactive Digital Media. Throughout their participation in the CSEMS project, participants have access to a full array of academic support services designed to ensure their success. They participate in activities geared to preparing them for careers in the CIS or IDM fields. These activities include career counseling, upper-class and professional mentors, workshops on study skills and time management, brown bag lunch seminars to discuss career options, visits to job sites, internships and attendance at occasional professional conferences.