Knight Foundation invests $2.25M in CodePath to cultivate #MiamiTech
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will invest $2.25 million in CodePath to expand our programs at Florida International University (FIU), Florida Memorial University (FMU), and Miami Dade College (MDC). The partnership will strengthen computer science curricula to align with industry needs and help Miami's students achieve tech excellence.
Creating the next generation of tech leaders in Miami
As Miami emerges as an international tech hub with increased demand for skilled talent, the Knight Foundation will invest $2.25 million in CodePath to expand our courses, career services, and mentorship to computer science students at FIU, FMU, and MDC.
Meet the Faces of #MiamiTech
CodePath believes all students deserve equal access to the technical training, career guidance, mentors, and community they need to successfully navigate the tech industry and achieve excellence. We have served over 10,000 college computer science students since 2017.
Anthony Pena
CS student at Florida International University
"The support that CodePath is able to give students is invaluable. Through their guidance, I found the education and career path I want to pursue in computer science. During the program, I built an award-winning mobile application, secured technical internships at Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Amazon and other high growth tech companies. SXSW EDU 2022 selected me to speak. Also, in March, I will start working full-time as a software engineer, while I continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree."
Antonella Avogadro
CS STUDENT AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
"When I decided to leave behind my country and my original field of Fashion Design, come to the United States and go back to school for computer science, I felt very behind and quite lost, to say the least. CodePath's Technical Interview Prep Course gave me the knowledge, support, and access to inspiring figures I needed in order to find my place in the field and the confidence I lacked in my technical interviewing skills. I am now looking forward to my second Software Engineering internship at Microsoft for summer 2022, and I know I could not have done it so early on in my CS degree without CodePath. With their help, anyone can reach that and so much more!"
Camila Iligaray
CS Student at Florida International University
"Having been able to be part of CodePath’s Summer Internship for Tech Excellence (SITE) with Workday has been the most rewarding experience for me. I got to learn so many things about web development, and I had the privilege to meet and work with some amazing fellow interns. The support and education that I received from CodePath’s instructors, as well as Workday's employees, is something that I will never forget. At the beginning of the summer I had zero experience with web development, but by the end of it my group and I had built an amazing website all by ourselves. I would recommend to anyone who is either curious or passionate about CS to engage with CodePath and all of the resources they have to offer because it will open endless doors with endless opportunities! I am forever grateful to CodePath for all the help they have given me."
Aldo Socarras
CS Student at Florida International University
"My goal has always been to make a positive impact in the world through technology, and CodePath has given me the support and platform to do just that. Within a year, I have combined my passion for teaching and my love for mobile development while working alongside some of the most outstanding engineers in the industry. I completed the Android Development course this past Spring. Since then, I have built an award-winning mobile application, reached Top 10 in one of the country's largest hackathons, and worked at Meta (Facebook) as an Android Intern Lead by helping to instruct and facilitate the diverse Facebook University Program for incoming interns. In addition, I am currently working as an Android Tutor for Google's pilot program, which aims to increase Black representation in tech. I can say, without a doubt, that I have become a better engineer thanks to CodePath."
Our University Partners
In 2020, CodePath launched our programming at FIU with a course on Android development. Within a year, we have integrated multiple CodePath courses into FIU’s computer science curriculum, and we have taught nearly 100 students, arming them with industry relevant technical skills, including web and mobile development, cybersecurity and technical interview preparation.
We are excited to expand our impact and launch our programs at Florida Memorial University and Miami Dade College, so we cultivate a tech talent pool that is representative of the local community.
Our vision is to turn Miami into a robust tech talent pipeline so that every aspiring student, regardless of background, will become a technology leader, builder or founder.
Mark B. Rosenberg, President, Florida International University
“With this investment by CodePath, Florida International University has a unique opportunity to further expand our strategic efforts to prepare a new generation of tech workers for 21st century jobs. By providing all students with learning opportunities focused on excellence and innovation, we are positioning them to be change makers and problem solvers in the tech sector.”
Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, President, Florida Memorial University
“The need for individuals with quality technical skills are in high demand, and Florida Memorial University is committed to helping our students succeed in all areas of education, especially in the realm of computer science and engineering. We greatly appreciate the commitment of CodePath and the Knight Foundation for cultivating opportunities for underserved students here in South Florida."
Madeline Pumariega, President, Miami Dade College
“This investment from Knight Foundation will accelerate the pathway for MDC students to economic prosperity through the supplemental resources and services provided by CodePath. We know our students reflect the rich diversity of our community, and their passion, talents and perspectives will enhance Miami’s tech ecosystem. We are proud to join our partner institutions in this endeavor.”
“Miamians are talented, full of grit and determination. Increasingly, they seek to bring those attributes to careers in tech. By investing in CodePath, we are investing in the aspirations of Miamians and key educational institutions which enable our community to succeed."
Raul Moas, Miami Program Director, Knight Foundation
“We must create more support structures to cultivate a tech talent pool that reflects Miami’s population. Through our Knight partnership, we will aim to serve and attract college students to join our tech movement and create a larger, more diverse talent pipeline for employers."
Michael Ellison, co-founder and CEO, CodePath
Knight Foundation to invest $2.25M in CodePath to meet Miami’s community demand for careers in tech
As Miami’s tech community grows, CodePath will leverage Knight’s investment to expand and launch programming at three area colleges to connect students to tech careers.
(November 22, 2021) — As Miami emerges as an international tech hub with increased demand for skilled talent, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced today a $2.25 million investment in CodePath to expand its programming at Florida International University (FIU) and launch new programs at Florida Memorial University (FMU) and Miami Dade College (MDC).
CodePath, a national nonprofit seeking to increase diversity in computer science and engineering, will partner with the three landmark Miami higher education institutions to:
- complement their computer science curricula to align with industry needs;
- prepare students for competitive internships;
-
place students in software engineering roles at leading tech companies.
“Miamians are talented, full of grit and determination. Increasingly, they seek to bring those attributes to careers in tech,” said Raul Moas, Knight’s Miami program director. “By investing in CodePath, we are investing in the aspirations of Miamians and key educational institutions which enable our community to succeed.”
CodePath provides no-cost software engineering courses, career services and access for computer science students to successfully complete their undergraduate education and land competitive technical roles after graduation. Since 2017, CodePath has served more than 10,000 students, 70% of which come from Black, Latino/a or low-income backgrounds.
“We must create more support structures to cultivate a tech talent pool that reflects Miami’s population,” said Michael Ellison, CEO and co-founder of CodePath. “Through our Knight partnership, we will serve and attract college students to join our tech movement and create a larger, more diverse talent pipeline for employers.”
In 2020, CodePath launched its programming at FIU with a course on Android development. Today, multiple CodePath courses are now integrated into FIU’s computer science curriculum, and the nonprofit to date has taught nearly 100 students, arming them with industry relevant technical skills, including web and mobile development, cybersecurity and technical interview preparation.
"The support that CodePath is able to give students is invaluable. Through their guidance, I found the career path I want to pursue in computer science,” FIU student Anthony Pena said. “During the program, I built an award-winning mobile application, secured technical internships at Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Amazon and other high growth tech companies. SXSW EDU 2022 selected me to speak. Also, in March, I will start working full-time as a software engineer, while I continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree."
This investment builds on Knight’s support of Miami Tech, including a $15 million commitment in Florida International University, the University of Miami and Baptist Health South Florida announced in February of this year. As part of the announcement, FIU established the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences, UM expanded its Institute of Data Science and Computing and Baptist Health launched a health care innovation fellowship. In September, Knight announced $510,000 in investments to four local organizations and entities that help boost a sense of community among tech practitioners in the city.
“With this investment by CodePath, FIU has a unique opportunity to further expand our strategic efforts to prepare a new generation of tech workers for 21st century jobs,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “By providing all students with learning opportunities focused on excellence and innovation, we are positioning them to be change makers and problem solvers in the tech sector.”
“The need for individuals with quality technical skills are in high demand, and Florida Memorial University is committed to helping our students succeed in all areas of education, especially in the realm of computer science and engineering,” said Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, Florida Memorial University President. “We greatly appreciate the commitment of CodePath and the Knight Foundation for cultivating opportunities for underserved students here in South Florida.”
“This investment from Knight Foundation will accelerate the pathway for Miami Dade College students to economic prosperity through the supplemental resources and services provided by CodePath,” said Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega. “We know our students reflect the rich diversity of our community, and their passion, talents and perspectives will enhance Miami’s tech ecosystem. We are proud to join our partner institutions in this endeavor.”
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
We are social investors who support democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and in the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once had newspapers. Learn more at kf.org and follow @knightfdn on social media.
About CodePath
CodePath transforms computer science education for underrepresented minorities and students from low income backgrounds at over 300 colleges and universities. We offer free, supplemental courses in cybersecurity, mobile app development and technical interview preparation, as well as career services to create successful pathways for students to achieve technical excellence. To date, CodePath has served over 10,000 students, of which 70% self-identify as Black, Latino/a, or come from low-income backgrounds. By working closely with partners like Andreessen Horowitz, Cognizant, Comcast, Meta, Walmart, and Workday, CodePath is systematically changing CS programs to increase diversity in tech. CodePath is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To learn more, visit www.codepath.org