University Center Welcomes New Technology-Focused Nonprofit
February 16, 2012
IT-oLogy Expands with Upstate Location to Advance IT Profession and Careers
GREENVILLE, SC – February 16, 2011 – The University Center ofGreenville, Inc. (UCG) provides a central cost-effective location forthe delivery of higher education baccalaureate, masters, and doctoralprograms from many of South Carolina’s largest Universities benefitingthe citizens and the economic community of Greater Greenville. Inaddition to 76 degree programs offered from its seven institutionalmembers, UCG is also home to a number of other educationally-relatedorganizations and programs, including Public Education PartnersGreenville County, ELS Language Centers and the SimHub™ immersivetechnology center.
The multi-organizational hub, located inside McAlister Square, providescollaborative space and shared resources, all with the end goal ofimproving educational access for the Upstate community. The latestorganization to call the University Center of Greenville ‘home’ isIT-oLogy.
IT-oLogy is a nonprofit collaboration of businesses, academicinstitutions and organizations dedicated to growing the InformationTechnology (IT) talent pipeline and advancing the IT profession. Formedin 2008 as a collaboration between the University of South Carolina, IBMand BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina to respond to the IT talentgap, the organization’s mission is to change the face of the IT field.
UCGPresident & COO David A. Taylor says, “We are very happy to welcomethe IT-oLogy organization and staff to the University Center ofGreenville as they work to expand their presence and activities in theGreater Greenville area….this is a great opportunity for the Center tocollaborate with another partner with strong focus on connecting withleading Universities and employers for the benefit of the citizens andeconomic community of Greater Greenville.”
IT-oLogy focuses on a broad range of goals from exposing K-12 studentsto the various career possibilities in the IT field, to advancingprofessional development opportunities. Key programs are aligned aroundthree simple initiatives: Promote It, Teach It, Grow It.
”IT-oLogy believes that a classroom to the boardroom model is the mosteffective approach to advancing IT talent,” says Lonnie Emard, ExecutiveDirector of IT-oLogy. “Our programs span all ages – from students inK-12 schools, to undergraduates enrolled in higher educationinstitutions to entry-level and seasoned IT professionals.”
The organization’s presence at the University Center will bringnetworking and experiential learning opportunities to current studentsin or interested in IT degree programs, such as USC Upstate’s Bachelorof Arts in Information Management & Systems hosted onsite at UCG, aswell as professional development opportunities for employees at localIT-heavy companies like Fluor Corporation.
Middle and high School students considering areas of study pre-collegecan use IT-oLogy to explore potential degrees and careers through campsor virtual job shadows directing them into fields such as websitedevelopment, multimedia design, computer systems networking, and muchmore.
“From the outset, the vision of IT-oLogy has been to have business andacademic partners collaborate to advance IT talent,” Emard says. “Thelack of IT talent is a national epidemic that is solved in a localmanner. The IT-oLogy @ University Center of Greenville branch becomes avisible, physical representation of business, higher ed and K-12education working together to meet a common goal.”
For more information about IT-oLogy and its programs, visit www.it-ology.org. To learn more about the University Center and the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees available locally, visit www.ucgreenville.org.
About IT-oLogy
IT-oLogy is a non-profit collaboration of businesses, academicinstitutions and organizations dedicated to growing the IT talentpipeline and advancing the IT profession. IT-oLogy has three maininitiatives: Promote IT (K-12), Teach IT (Higher Education) and Grow IT(Professionals and Businesses). For more information, please call us at803.354.5750, visit us at www.IT-oLogy.org or follow us on Twitter at@IT_oLogy.
About University Center of Greenville
The University Center of Greenville, Inc. is a coalition of universityand community leaders dedicated to increasing access to educationalopportunities for the Greater Greenville area. The center offers morethan 75 undergraduate and graduate degrees through seven institutionpartners: Clemson University, Furman University, Lander University,Greenville Technical College, South Carolina State University,University of South Carolina and the University of South CarolinaUpstate. The University Center offers state-of-the-art technologies anddiverse delivery systems, including day, evening, weekend, and distanceclasses, for both traditional and adult students. Bringing togetherpublic and private sector leaders and higher education institutionspositions UCG to meet the education and talent needs of its citizens,and help drive Greenville’s competitiveness. For more information,please call 864.250.1111 or visit www.ucgreenville.org.
