Call for Applications: $3,500 in IT and STEM Scholarships for RI Students

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - March 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Contact: Giselle Mahoney
Manager of Communications & Media Relations  |  Tech Collective
401-829-8321 |  gmahoney@tech-collective.org

Providence, R.I. – March 28, 2013 – Tech Collective (http://www.tech-collective.org/), Rhode Island’s Bioscience and IT industry association, is accepting applications for its 2013 scholarship offerings. The two scholarships total $3,500 and are being funded individually by Lighthouse Computer Services (http://www.lighthousecs.com/), and the Doug Schwinn scholarship fund. Lighthouse and Schwinn scholarship applications are due by Friday, April 12, 2013 and Friday, April 19, 2013, respectively. Visit www.tech-collective.org for applications and full guidelines.

The Lighthouse and Schwinn scholarships aim to raise awareness around the IT and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) industries, particularly in Rhode Island, and to aid in funding and developing the workforce pipeline. This year marks the fifth year of awards for each fund. In total, they have provided $14,000 to eight students since 2009.

Lighthouse Computer Services / Tech Collective Scholarship – $1,000 scholarship established for a Rhode Island high school or post-secondary student pursuing a career in the IT field. Student must demonstrate scholastic achievement, leadership potential and have an affiliation, either directly or through a parent, to the US Military. Due Friday, April 12, 2013.

Doug Schwinn / Tech Collective Scholarship – $2,500 scholarship established for a female or minority high school student pursuing a degree in the STEM fields. Student must demonstrate commitment, dedication, strong academic record, leadership and a determination to gain a higher education. Due Friday, April 19, 2013.

“Building an educated IT workforce is a key component to reach Rhode Island’s full economic potential,” said Lighthouse founder and CEO, Tom Mrva. “Technology needs to be a larger part of the state’s economy, and we’re hopeful that the Lighthouse-Tech Collective Computer Sciences Scholarship will open a few doors for talented young people to enter the industry. We were proud to help start this program with Tech Collective, and it will help more students in 2013,” he said.

“Tech Collective continues to be proud to work with Lighthouse Computer Services and the Doug Schwinn scholarship fund to assist in the education of Rhode Island’s future IT and STEM professionals,” said JoAnn Johnson, manager of youth and education programs for Tech Collective. “Recent reports confirm what many in the technology industries already realize – that in conjunction with the critical need to build a strong workforce pipeline, we also need to do a better job of engaging minorities and women into that population. Right now, only 7% of the STEM workforce is comprised of Blacks and Latinos. 17% is filled by Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders.1 Less than 25% of all STEM jobs in the US are filled by women.2 These are huge gaps to innovation, and ones that these scholarships aim to bring attention and funding to.”  

Recipients of any scholarship must be a legal Rhode Island resident and attend a Rhode Island college or university. Lighthouse Computer Services and the Doug Schwinn scholarship fund will finance the scholarships. Tech Collective will administer them. Scholarship applications must be received by April 12 and April 19, 2013, respectively. Please visit www.tech-collective.org scholarship applications and full guidelines.

About Lighthouse Computer Services:
Lighthouse Computer Services, one of Rhode Island’s fastest growing technology companies, is a trusted IT advisor to leading companies across the Northeast, offering assessment, design, and implementation of high-performance, cost-effective IT solutions.  Our complementary service practices include Business Analytics and Optimization, WebSphere, Enterprise Security, Enterprise Content Management Storage and Backup, Enterprise Servers and Virtualization. For more information about the company, please visit www.LighthouseCS.com.

About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is Rhode Island’s Bioscience and Information Technology Industry Association. Uniting industry, government and academic stakeholders, our mission is to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage Knowledge Economy in Rhode Island. Since its transition from the Rhode Island Technology Council (RITEC) in 2004, Tech Collective has received more than $8M in federal, state and private grant funding to foster industry and workforce awareness, collaboration, and development through forums and initiatives including: Tech10, GRRL Tech, Women in Technology, Bio-Ed, and STEM-based education and training programs for K-16 students as well as incumbent and transitioning workers. Get connected to Tech Collective at www.tech-collective.org, on Facebook (TechCollectiveRI) (http://www.facebook.com/TechCollectiveRI), Twitter (@Tech_Collective) (http://www.twitter.com/Tech_Collective), and on Linkedin (Tech Collective) (http://www.linkedin.com/company/244614?trk=saber_s000001e_1000).

1. Source: “STEM Gap Widens for Minorities (http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/workforce/stem-gap-widens-for-minorities-20121212),” (Dec. 2012). National Journal: The Next America.

2. Source: Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation (http://www.esa.doc.gov/Reports/women-stem-gender-gap-innovation), (Aug. 2011). U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration.