IT 2000 Kicks Off Summer Session at UWM

MILWAUKEE -- July marks the beginning of the Information Technology 2000 Computer Training Project (IT 2000) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A collaboration among UWM's School of Information Studies, the Helen Bader Foundation, Inc., UWM's Department of Student & Multicultural Affairs, and the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County (PIC), the program gives urban teens a jump-start on successful careers in technology. The majority of students in the IT 2000 program attend Milwaukee Public Schools and are educationally, economically, culturally or otherwise disadvantaged. "To bring the whole community forward, we cannot afford to keep this information to ourselves," said Twyla McGhee, a senior academic advisor in the School of Information Studies. McGhee spoke to students and parents at this year's orientation in June.

Throughout the six-week program, 143 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors learn basic workplace computer skills using popular, cutting-edge word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and Web design software.

Students also learn other valuable workplace skills, such as the importance of punctuality, proper business attire, and working individually and on a team. And by participating in mock interviews and weekly tours of local companies where technology is part of each business day, students see the real-life implications of the skills they are learning.

Through PIC, students are paid a training wage for the duration of the program. This year, IT 2000 has teamed up with Bank One to give students the added convenience of the new Visa Payroll Card in place of printed checks.

Students who complete the program satisfactorily receive a letter of recommendation as well as a certificate of admission to UWM which is valid upon graduating from high school and meeting the UWM entry requirements.

Conversations about forming IT 2000 began in December 1998. Mohammed Aman, dean of UWM's School of Information Studies; Stanley Battle, vice chancellor of student and multicultural affairs, and Gerard Randall, Jr., president and chief executive officer of PIC and UW System Board of Regents member, wanted to create a program to help students form strong technology and communication skills that have become the cornerstones of success in business today.

By June of 1999, IT 2000 was born. So far, IT 2000 has graduated more than 550 Milwaukee area youths.

Students will have a chance to showcase their work at the completion ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 in the UWM Union's Wisconsin Room.

The next IT 2000 session begins January 4, 2003. Step-Up coordinators will begin recruiting qualified candidates in September. The application process ends the second week in November.

Contact the coordinator at your high school for more information or call project liaison Brian Foley at (414) 270-1782.

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