Breaking Barriers: North Central University partnership provides technology certification for underserved students

In today’s world, technology skills are essential for success in almost any field. However, for many students in urban Twin Cities neighborhoods, gaining access to technology training can be challenging. North Central University is stepping up to provide this kind of training in Minneapolis by providing technology certification to underserved students in the local community.

The innovative program is a collaboration between Milestone Community Development (Milestone) and North Central University’s College of Business and Technology (COBAT), made possible by a generous grant Milestone received from Ramsey County in Minnesota.

In 2020, North Central helped boost community access to technology when they partnered with Milestone to provide computers built by NCU students for use in the community center run by Milestone (see article).

Through the new certificate program, developed in late 2022 and launched in January 2023, the university provides non-credit technology training and certification to students identified and recruited by Milestone. Participating students come from underserved communities, and the certification program is designed to provide skills needed to compete in the job market and gain opportunities for upward mobility.

According to the Statement of Work included in the Ramsey County grant application, the eight-week certificate program allows young adults participating in the program to upgrade their skills by learning new technologies in an accelerated timeframe. The training for certification is supported in its execution by the Computer Science program and NCU COBAT faculty, and stresses communication, collaboration, integration, and automation. Recognizing the interdependence of software development and IT operations, students will “gain skills needed to help organizations efficiently produce products and services and to improve operations performance.”

IT Support and Data Analytics

Colin Miller, MAR, Director of the COBAT School of Technology, noted that the program’s first two eight-week courses include IT Support and Data Analytics.

Komla Adevoun, Client Services Coordinator in NCU’s Office of Technology and Innovation, teaches the IT Support course. The course prepares students for technical support roles and covers computer hardware and software, networking, security, and troubleshooting techniques. Beyond the technical skills, students learn about the role of the help desk and service desk in providing technical support and the importance of effective communication with customers and clients. Upon completion, students will have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a technical support role, making them valuable members of any IT team.

The Introduction to Data Analytics course, taught by Miller, prepares students to work with data in a professional setting. The course covers data analysis and visualization, data science principles, and programming languages such as Python, NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. The course also covers the use of SQL and PowerBI, tools for accessing and manipulating data in databases, with a focus on PowerBI’s capabilities for data visualization. Miller noted that the capstone project at the end of the course allows students to apply their skills and knowledge to a real-world problem, allowing them to demonstrate their expertise to potential employers.

A powerful program component includes assisting students with internship placements that will take place after the coursework is completed so they can enter the marketplace with new knowledge and skills combined with practical experience.

Knowledge and contribution

The technology certification program is designed to be accessible to students from various backgrounds. Mohammedamin Kahin, Executive Director of Milestone Community Development, sees tremendous opportunities ahead for the students and community through the certification program. “At the end of the day, our job is to be a champion for the community,” Kahin explained. “Empowering underserved members of the community … helps them to thrive and become part of the American dream.”

Kahin expressed deep gratitude toward Ramsey County and North Central for partnering with Milestone for this initiative. “I appreciate the funding from Ramsey County,” Kahin said, “and want to thank North Central University for their partnership. Without them, this program would not be possible. This is life-changing for immigrants [who are] underserved in the career path of the tech sector. This will open up a bigger opportunity. We want students to thrive, be productive and fruitful, and serve this country through their knowledge and skills.”

Serving the community

Shawn Sauve, D.B.A., Associate Dean of the College of Business and Technology, serves as the certificate program’s project manager for NCU. He is enthusiastic about the opportunities it provides for the participating students and the university. “We’ve got 20 youth, ages 18 to 25, looking to develop skills to have a better life, to have good jobs at attractive pay,” Sauve said. He noted that the unique program serves the missions of North Central and Milestone and presents a powerful model for community collaboration, and lays the groundwork for North Central to provide more certificate programs in the future—a trend taking place in career education across the country.

“North Central is positioned here in Minneapolis to be a blessing to our community,” Sauve said. “We have opportunities at times to collaborate on community development that doesn’t sacrifice our Christian mission. [This partnership] allows us to tangibly represent our faith in the broader Twin Cities community with people who may not necessarily identify with our faith background.

Numerous benefits

The benefits of the program are numerous. For the students, it provides them with valuable credentials that will help them compete in the job market. For the community, it helps to address the digital divide and ensures that underserved populations have access to the skills they need to succeed. Finally, for the university, it demonstrates the institution’s commitment to its community and helps to build relationships with local organizations.

Six weeks into the course of study, Miller is pleased with how students have responded and confident the certification process will have a positive impact. “Completing the IT Support or Introduction to Data Analytics courses provides students with valuable skills and knowledge in high-demand fields,” Miller said. “This is likely to increase their optimism for their futures as they gain the confidence and ability to pursue career opportunities in these areas. The hands-on nature of the courses and the capstone projects will help students develop practical skills and apply their knowledge to real-world problems, making them more attractive to potential employers.”

Working together for impact

The collaborative program is an excellent example of how institutions can work together to make a positive impact. By providing technology training to underserved populations, the program helps to address the digital divide and provide opportunities for upward mobility. It also demonstrates the university’s commitment to serving its community and building relationships with local organizations.

Kahin noted that without formal promotion, the technology certificate program already has a wait list of 40 students. “We are hoping Ramsey County will fund us again,” he said. “We appreciate the [Ramsey County] program director who sees this as a big deal and took the chance to fund this. We are also grateful for support from North Central’s president, deans, and the two amazing professors teaching the youth.”

Miller sees great value in the collaboration and affirms North Central’s dedication to quality and outcomes. “By providing personalized attention and support, I am confident that all participants could achieve their goals and make the most of this valuable learning opportunity.”

Subscribe and stay informed

Sign up to receive email notifications when we post the latest blog.