Three Florida public universities are joining forces to help academically talented juniors in computer-related fields complete their undergraduate studies and pursue their graduate education.
Florida International University, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida — which together make up the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities — have collectively received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to form the Florida IT Graduation Attainment Pathways (Flit-GAP) program.
“Together with our partners, FIU has the opportunity to collaborate and discover ways to strengthen support for students and help them identify the right studies and pathways that will help them earn a degree that will determine their career success,” said Mark Weiss, distinguished university professor, Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences and associate dean for undergraduate education, FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing.
“The goal of Flit-GAP is to recruit, retain and guide to success (graduate and help find a professional pathway) 150 academically talented, financially challenged students in the computing disciplines, most of whom are underrepresented in the computing field,” said Kenneth Christensen, professor and associate chair, USF Computer Science and Engineering.
A total of 50 students at each of the three institutions will be able to benefit from the program, which provides a scholarship of up to $10,000 per year; a designated advisor and faculty mentor; and professional pathway experiences such as research, an internship and entrepreneurship opportunities.
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