Applied Information Technology Education Project

Mission

The mission of the Applied Information Technology Project at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is to equip and develop students who are (a) proficient in an information technology workplace; (b) who can adapt to changes in emerging technologies; and (c) who will become innovators in their respective disciplines. The mission is also to prepare educators with the understanding of an information technology economy and with the knowledge and skills to teach and develop the current and future workforce.

The mission evolves from the college’s vision to develop a Gulf South workforce who can perform successfully in a knowledge- and idea-based economy, embedded with technology. The AITE project extends the college’s strategic initiatives of world class instruction geared to nationally recognized certifications and standards of industry; and/or successful performance at four-year colleges. Further, access to emergent technologies and technologically empowered faculty will equip students with tools for success in higher education or in the workplace.

Goals and Objectives

Goal I: To increase the supply and diversity of the Information Technology workforce in the Gulf South region focusing on females and other underrepresented groups.

  • Objective 1: Increase the female enrollment in Information Technology programs by 17% and after two years reflect a 42% female representation in Information Technology program enrollment. The “model” to achieve this objective will be termed “The IT Pathway.”
  • Objective 2: Disseminate “The IT Pathway” model throughout the Gulf South region and Mississippi.

Goal II: Respond to business/industry workforce needs with curricula and education/training for specialized Information Technology courses/programs.

  • Objective 1: Develop an Associate of Applied Science Degree program in database development and administration and enroll 25 students in Fall, 2002.
  • Objective 2: Develop and Associate of Applied Science Degree program in web development/administration and enroll 25 students in Fall, 2002.

IT Pathway: A career awareness and exploration model

Purpose: To increase participation of underrepresented groups within the Information Technology programs.

Barriers and Opportunities

Preliminary data points to opportunities that could lead to solutions or actions that will increase enrollments of females and other underrepresented groups in IT educational programs. Several opportunities identified were:

  1. Middle/high school students are tech savvy.
  2. Middle/high school teachers are limited in knowledge of job opportunities in IT, but seem eager to learn.
  3. IT job opportunities and salaries, possibility of flex work schedules and home-based employment are “sellable” criteria in today’s job market.
  4. Adults returning to college can be convinced an IT career is a “reachable” goal that can be achieved in less time than a four-year degree, but with an excellent salary.

Impact of Grant

  • Trained and Certified Faculty for the new programs
  • Enrolled over 40 students in DBT/WDT programs
  • Installed two computer labs valued at $75,000 each for the Web Development and Database Administration Programs
  • Developed a website for the AITE Project
  • Hosted National Visiting Committee in 2002/2003 for evaluation of grant objectives
  • Established an annual Women’s Conference on Information Technology
  • Presented at State and National conferences
  • Developed marketing materials for “IT Pathway”
  • Developed CD for dissemination of the AITE Project
  • Link to business and industry through local advisory committees

Happenings In Technology (HIT) Newsletters

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Contact Information

  • Jodi Harris, Principal Investigator
  • Email:
  • Phone: (228) 497-7760
  • Sadie Hébert, Co-Principal Investigator
  • Email:
  • Phone: (601) 928-6328
  • Anna Faye Kelley-Winders, Vice President
  • Email:
  • Phone: (228) 897-4360