This spring, a group juniors from Prairie View A&M University’s computer science program is taking part in Google’s Tech Exchange program in Mountain View, California. Shane May-Gunlogson, Kayla R. Butler, and Devyn I. Allen are among over 60 students selected to sharpen their skills living and studying on Google’s main campus. The year-long initiative brings together students and faculty members from eleven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The student participants can earn course credits by taking a variety of computer science courses taught by member HBCU and HCI faculty who are paired with Google engineers.

The Tech Exchange builds on the success of a 2017 pilot program between Google and Howard University (known as Howard West), during which 26 students completed a three-month computer science education program. Half of those students have since found engineering internships at Google or in the tech industry.

“We’re committed to building a more diverse and representative Google that reflects our users. That’s why, as part of our strategy to do so, we’re continuing to hire and invest in the talent of tomorrow,” said Danielle Brown, VP of Employee Engagement, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer.

Dr. Yonggao Yang, professor and department head in PVAMU’s computer science department, hopes to use this experience to expand and enhance the Computer Science (CS) curriculum. “If successful, this program will have a very positive impact on PVAMU’s CS program. Students will be more competitive and better prepared for IT jobs,” said Yang. “We also have the opportunity to enhance our CS faculty development by sending our faculty members to Google’s campus to teach and work alongside Google software engineers.”

Participating schools in this year’s Tech Exchange include Howard University, Florida A&M University, California State University Dominguez Hills, Morgan State University, New Mexico State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Dillard University, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Spelman College.

To find out more information about Google’s Tech Exchange program, you can view Google’s blog post.

By Marchita Shilo

 

Pictured above: PVAMU CS students from left to right: Shane May-Gunlogson, Kayla R. Butler, and Devyn I. Allen.