Microsoft, a Leader in Diversity, Teams with HBCUs

This past February President Obama signed an executive order renewing the White House Initiative on HBCUs. At the event President Obama spoke about the importance of the Nation’s 105 HBCUs, which serve more than 300,000 students. He emphasized the importance of everyone getting involved to ensure the achievement gap between African American students and their white counter parts begins to close.

Apart of his address included a challenge to corporations, communities, and the individual to help because “strengthening America’s historically black colleges and universities isn’t a task that falls to the Department of Education alone,” he said.

While the February event served as a call to action for many, it was validation for the Microsoft Corporation that they are trailblazers not only technologically, but in the diversity sphere. From scholarships and day camps to internships and diverse hiring practices, Microsoft has continually sought ways to bring equity to the world of technology and education.

After the February event the Associate Director for the White House Initiative on HBCUs approached Microsoft about its progressive offerings. They wanted them to put together a forum which representatives from HBCUs could attend and receive information about the resources available. Held April 29th at Morehouse College, 60 Microsoft representatives briefed attendees about Microsoft Education offerings for faculty, administrators, and students.

Donna Woodall, Microsoft; Ceasar C. Mitchell, President of the Atlanta City Council; John Brown, Associate Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs

Politic365 had the opportunity to speak with Donna Woodall, community outreach manager for Microsoft, about the event and its impact on HBCUs.

She described the 260 attendees as presidents of HBCUs, Deans of STEM curriculums (science, technology, engineering, math), Hopps Scholars from Morehouse and eager to learn Atlanta area high school students with an interest in STEM careers.

“We had attendees come from as far west as Texas and as far north as Pennsylvania. It was a great turn out.”

The day began with what Woodall described as “pre-service training programs”. A brand new offering, these programs are for those whose train professors, educators and teachers the latest in technology offerings. In turn the newly trained educators teach students the latest in technology, she explained.

This program and others are all apart of Microsoft’s Partners In Learning Initiative.

Participants were also informed about Blacks At Microsoft.  A company sponsored network dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees at the corporation, it also awards $5,000 scholarships to outstanding, high school seniors of african descent interesting in pursing careers in technology.

In addition to the scholarship program Ms. Woodall explained the Microsoft Students to Business program participants were also made aware of. This program asks students to create a resume. That resume is reviewed by Microsoft certified partners and evaluated for gaps in experience or training the students will need to ascertain a job in their desired field upon completion of college. The students are counseled as to how to fill the gap.

Other programs participants took home information about include, but not limited to Dream Spark, Imagine Cup and DigiGirlz.

About Microsoft and its wide array of offerings, Ms. Woodall says,

“Microsoft prides itself on our diversity of employees and our ability to engage diverse organizations. We represent what we stand for with programs such as the Education Alliance with HBCUs.”

Of the day she concluded,

“This is just the start. There is much to be done.”

Director of Media Relations @Politic365 ; Multi-Media Strategist & Content Producer--- Prior to joining Politic365, Elesha Barnette spent nine years with Procter & Gamble. Elesha has a rich, diverse background in sales analytics as well as merchandising & marketing of Fortune 500 brands. In addition to her experiences in business development, Elesha has also run a freelance media production company that develops stories for screen. Elesha has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in Communications/Media Production.

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One Response to Microsoft, a Leader in Diversity, Teams with HBCUs

1. Father says:

   4:45pm June 16, 2011 at 4:45 pm

   This is good start. I agree with President Obama, both the private and public sector need to work together to strengthen our black colleges and universities. Education is the bedrock to a thriving economy.

   Reply