September 9, 2021
The Expanding Digital Learning, Mentoring, and Professional Development Programs Support Ongoing Career Partnership
Dover, DE – Delaware State University and DuPont leaders met today at the University's Optical Science Center for Advanced Research (OSCAR) to distribute MacBooks to graduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs. DuPont will donate 50 high-end Apple laptops to mark HBCU Week and highlight the University's digital learning initiative and the longstanding collaboration between the University and DuPont in preparing students for research careers at the company.
“We have been providing iPads and MacBooks for our students since 2018,” said University President Tony Allen, “as part of our effort to ensure technological equity for all and maintain our teaching at the forefront. Last year we were able to extend the program to Early College High School students during the pandemic, and this fall we are addressing the needs of our graduate students, thanks to our friends at DuPont. "
Allen noted that this semester the devices donated by DuPont will go to all graduate students of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology. The University is also distributing iPads to graduate students in the new Master of Occupational Therapy program passed from Wesley College; more than 90 students received those devices.
In addition to the MacBook donation, DuPont also sponsors registration fees for each of the 50 STEM graduate students to attend the National Organization for Professional Advancement conference. Black Chemical Engineers and Chemists (NOBCChE) that takes place virtually September 15 -17, 2021.
“At DuPont, innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are fostered through a culture of equity and inclusion. That's why we are committed to ensuring that the next generation of scientists Delaware State University produces have the tools to prepare them for meaningful careers with us, ”said Alexa Dembek, director of technology and sustainability at DuPont. "We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate HBCU Week by creating pathways for future innovators and helping the University extend its digital learning program to all graduate STEM researchers."
“We have a long and positive history with DuPont,” said Dr. Cherese Winstead, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology. “We have worked intensively together over the past few years with lab visits, job shadowing, mentoring, and innovative career paths. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students and generated a recognition at DuPont that we needed better individual technology to support these graduate researchers early in their careers. "
Jamie Holmes, Ph. D. Applied Chemistry student, he was excited to receive the new laptop and said, "For me, and for dozens of other students, this is a game changer. Knowing that I have my own high-end laptop for classes, in the lab and when I visit places like the DuPont research facilities it not only improves my work, but also helps me project a more professional appearance. We are all very grateful to DuPont for taking this step. "
"This is a critical step forward for graduate studies," observed Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, Dean of the School of Continuing Education, for Adults. and Graduates. "We are being as creative as possible in discovering ways to put this technology in the hands of all graduate students."
Delaware State University began its digital learning initiative in the fall of 2018 by providing iPads and / or MacBooks to all incoming freshmen and transfer students, in addition to delivering devices to all teachers. In the fall of 2020, the initiative was expanded to all college students to Early College High School students taking courses on the University campus. More than 140 graduate students in Occupational Therapy and all STEM disciplines are now eligible for the program
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