During the fall of 2021, more than 19,600 students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) identified as Hispanic or Latina/o/x, accounting for about 28% of the student body. According to UCF, that’s why corporate partners are investing in the massive potential that exists at Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs), with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic or Latino full-time student enrollment.
Last week, UCF announced that Google and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have selected the leading metro research university in Florida as a preferred partner for a program that will help students and recent alums learn digital skills.
“This exciting partnership with Google and HACU is an excellent example of how we can be both intentional about serving our students, and inclusive in offering these resources to students of all backgrounds,” Cyndia Muñiz said in a statement.
As UCF’s director of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSI) Culture and Partnerships, Muñiz provides strategic leadership and stewardship of national partnerships that advance UCF-HSI objectives.
Google has invested $2 million to help HACU and selected HSIs to train 200,000 students in digital skills by 2025. The program is part of the tech giant’s Grow with Google initiative, which has helped more than five million Americans enhance business and career growth.
According to UCF, the university is receiving $25,000 in initial assistance to support the initiative through Career Services, which aims to train up to 700 students and recent alums each semester. If the program proves to be successful at UCF, the university will receive an additional $25,000 grant to continue the effort.
The initiative seeks to grow an excelling workforce by assisting college students at HSIs in developing the digital skills they need to find and secure internships and jobs. The program provides opportunities to grow skills through an online module that includes, lessons, exercises, and quizzes.
Participants will also be provided a series of curated content including career development opportunities, professional brand training, and digital skills workshops. Recent alumni can also access help to prepare for their next internship or land their next job.
“We’re very pleased to be included in this program as it provides another resource available to our students and alumni that helps them prepare for and be marketable in the workforce,” says Lynn Hansen, executive director of Career Services.
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