OVERVIEW
Sponsored by the UW-Madison Division of Information Technology (DoIT), ITA is an innovative, 4-year pre-college technology access and training program for talented students of color and economically disadvantaged students attending Madison Public Schools. Our mission is to prepare students for technical, academic, and personal excellence in today's Information Age.
Each year, ITA competitively recruits 30 students in their final semester of 8th grade to participate in the program. Selected students receive four years of intensive training in preparation for high tech, IT related careers; in addition to intensive academic support in preparation for competitive University admissions and study. The Academy's dual focus on academic excellence and technological literacy prepares promising students for learning and leadership in the 21st century digital age, and continues the University of Wisconsin's long tradition of excellence and service.
Through hands-on training, mentoring, leadership development, community service, and internship opportunities, ITA students develop the knowledge and skills to increase their own, as well as their community's access to technology; while gaining valuable skills and experiences as future leaders and professionals.
ITA is one of only five information technology outreach programs for high school students in the State of Wisconsin, and the only program of its kind and scope in the Madison area.
The Academy is sponsored by DoIT, with additional funding support from the UW-Madison PEOPLE Program (Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence), the Evjue Foundation, the Madison Metropolitan School District, and the Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Fund. Please see the full list of sponsors.
HISTORY
Planning of ITA was initiated by DoIT in the Spring of 1999 in response to the University of Wisconsin System Plan 2008, a comprehensive strategic blueprint to increase and expand diversity and educational opportunity within the University's 26 statewide institutions.
Plan 2008 emphasizes the increased recruitment and retention of four targeted student populations in the State of Wisconsin; African American, American Indian, Latino/Hispanic, and Southeast Asian; who are currently underrepresented in their enrollment representation within the UW-System; and disproportionately represented among the state's economically and educationally disadvantaged.
In April 1999, UW-Madison followed the lead of the System administration, releasing the UW-Madison Plan 2008 to address the unique needs of the campus and surrounding community; and were subsequently called upon by former Chancellor David Ward to create departmental and divisional outreach initiatives in support the University's efforts. ITA represents DoIT's response to that call and to our institution's ongoing efforts to extend critical learning opportunities to our state's most under-served youth.
In May 2000, the Academy successfully recruited its first cohort of 17 students from the Madison Metropolitan School District, and hosted the first annual ITA Summer Tech Training Camp on July 17-28 in DoIT facilities. These students, along with their successors, are continuing their tech skill development in bi-weekly site trainings, and via on-line forums using computers provided by the program.
Additionally, we have successfully launched a tutoring component with the assistance of UW graduate and undergraduate student volunteers, as well as community members, who assist ITA students in meeting and maintaining high academic standards, and recently implemented the ITA Mentoring Program, matching students with UW professional staff who will provide an additional layer of support, encouragement, and guidance over the next four years.
MISSION
In the spirit of the UW-Madison and System 2008 initiatives, ITA's principal mission is to prepare under-served students of color and economically disadvantaged students for technical, academic, and personal excellence in today's Information Age. Through its dual focus on academic excellence and technological literacy, ITA prepares promising students for learning and leadership in the 21st century digital age, and continues the University of Wisconsin's tradition of excellence and service.
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