UTICA – Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus has received a supplemental award of $320,000 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year from the U.S. Department of Education for its five Upward Bound and three Upward Bound Math and Science programs.
The Utica Campus plans to use the grant funds for a project called “App it Out: Class in Session” that proposed to engage students in an application (“App”) development experience through a partnership with Sheena Allen Apps. This STEM-powered program will lay out the process of mobile app and/or website development from beginning to end. Participants will come in with an idea and leave with a polished MVP (minimal viable product) and clearer understanding of computer programming, coding, and web development, said Steven J. Jones, executive director of Title III and Sponsored Grants for Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus.
Steven Jones
“The Office of Title III and Sponsored Grants is excited about our partnership with Sheena Allen Apps. We believe this partnership will further strengthen our Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs,” Jones said.
Allen is the founder and CEO of fintech company, CapWay and media tech company, Sheena Allen Apps. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she double majored in Psychology (B.S.) and Film (B.A.).
In addition to the partnership with Sheena Allen Apps, participants of Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science will also be exposed to industry in an effort to provide a holistic experience. Students will travel to Huntsville, Ala.– the fastest growing tech city in America (or similar city) to tour tech facilities and learn about various operations and internship and scholarship opportunities, he said.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity to further challenge our Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science participants as well as to showcase additional STEM programs located on the Utica Campus,” Jones said. “The Utica Campus has so much to offer but few know. This is our opportunity to highlight this hidden jewel called ‘The U’ and make great strides in producing more minority STEM professionals.”
Hinds Community College’s Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science program serve Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds and Warren counties.
As Mississippi’s largest community college, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills. With six locations in central Mississippi, Hinds enrolls about 12,000 students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.