North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is one of three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) selected by Cognosante, a mission-driven technology company that delivers innovative and transformative solutions to federal, state and local governments, for its new HBCU Partner Alliance.
Expanding the company’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility commitment, Cognosante Founder and CEO, Michele Kang, introduced the company’s newest impact program. The Program, built through a targeted collaboration with HBCUs, develops students’ technology, workplace, and career readiness skills, preparing them for the competitive workforce.
NCCU students, Charles Wooten, a junior computer science and business major from Durham, N.C., and Jaquan Doster, a senior social work major from Monroe, N.C., were selected for the program’s inaugural cohort. Both students are spending the entire Fall ’21 semester working at the Cognosante headquarters in Falls Church, Va. and living on the campus of George Mason University.
“Actively partnering with HBCUs is essential to enhancing diversity within the federal government contracting industry. I’m proud of how this program extends Cognosante’s mission-oriented approach and dedication to benefiting the community,” stated Kang. “Working with the leaders and staff members from three great universities – North Carolina Central University, Elizabeth City State University, and Delaware State University – we were able to prepare curricula that readies students for the demands and opportunities of today’s workforce.”
Cognosante’s HBCU Partner Alliance is comprised of three components: a 10-week paid Summer College Analyst Program, which assigns students with managers and departments aligned to their academic goals; a semester-long, paid Scholars Program, in which students earn college credits while they work full-time at a Cognosante office; and the Cognosante Campus Connection, a series of on-campus seminars, speaking engagements and mentoring.
“This internship has given me all the skills necessary for my field including training in JavaScript, HTML, CSS and React,” Wooten stated. “I’m truly thankful to the leadership at Cognosante for giving me the opportunity to work at the headquarters and further my career. I believe this opportunity will set me up for success for the rest of my life and am grateful to Cognosante for facilitating that for me.”
“My experience at Cognosante has been nothing short of amazing. I could not imagine spending my final semester in college any other way,” said Doster. “The skills and experience I have developed will most certainly guide my future endeavors.”
Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., chancellor of NCCU, noted, “The HBCU Partner Alliance provides powerful, life-altering learning and industry experience for North Carolina Central University students. This program helps our scholars develop knowledge and practical skills in a hands on environment alongside leading technology experts. NCCU is thankful to Cognosante Founder and CEO, Michele Kang, and the Cognosante team for their partnership and investment in our students.”
“This program’s three-pronged approach gives students exposure to the IT and government contracting world. The program offers a chance to apply learnings from their traditional studies as well as an opportunity to graduate with hands-on experience, needed power skills, and an expanded professional network,” added Jennifer Bailey, Cognosante’s chief administration officer. “We are excited about the positive feedback we’re receiving and look forward to expanding our program with additional HBCUs and new program offerings.”
In building the HBCU Partner Alliance, a team comprised of representatives from the three universities held joint weekly working and advisory sessions with Cognosante representatives, including the leadership of NCCU, Delaware State University and Elizabeth City State University.
The partners created a learning program that achieves four goals:
- Challenges students to apply course material and critical thinking skills to real work situations;
- Develops needed power skills for real-life scenarios;
- Provides hands-on experience, and in some cases course credits which meet individual school requirements; and
- Sets the students up for successful job placement upon graduation through an expanded working professional network.
The Cognosante HBCU Partner Alliance continues in 2022, with planned expansion to invite participation from additional HBCUs.
