Nonprofit, Bowie State partner to expand tech career pathways

Listen to this article

Striving to facilitate opportunities for students in the cyber workforce, the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Department of Labor announced a partnership between CodePath and Bowie State University to fulfill that mission. 

CodePath, a national nonprofit that integrates computer science courses into college degree programs, will collaborate with Maryland’s oldest historically Black university to strengthen the state’s technology workforce pipeline and expand access to high-demand tech career pathways for Maryland students, according to the department of labor.

The organization plans to use its curriculum and industry connections to provide Bowie State students access to software engineering and cybersecurity training, among other resources and support services.

“Maryland is committed to ensuring our students have career-connected and industry aligned learning, resulting in economic mobility,” Secretary of Higher Education Sanjay Rai said. 

“These efforts prepare home grown talent and make Maryland more competitive in attracting and retaining key industries.”

The Bowie State-nonprofit partnership is part of a broader statewide initiative to expand CodePath’s impact to offer free training to at least 800 students in cybersecurity and AI, according to state officials. 

Delivering industry-specific courses and career support catered for first-generation and low-income students, CodePath works with dozens of universities across the U.S., aiming to help students secure technical internships or job placements in tech-related fields.

“By joining forces with education and industry partners, we are not only helping students to complete their education, but also ensuring they gain the hands-on experience that employers demand,” Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu said. 

“This will prepare them to move into good jobs in a dynamic and increasingly technology-enabled economy.”

To celebrate the new collaboration, Bowie State recently hosted a Demo Day with CodePath where students showcased projects and connected with industry leaders, tech employers and the campus community, according to a release. 

“Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive technology workforce for Maryland and beyond,” BSU President Aminta H. Breaux said.