Cleveland State University has received a $2 million grant to help CMSD students explore and pursue careers in computer science and information technology.

A main goal of the four-year grant from the National Science Foundation is to guide more students of color and women toward careers in high-tech fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented.

The project, called the Cleveland Tech Talent Pipeline, will provide support that includes workshops and internships for students, as well as mentoring that will begin in ninth grade and continue into college. The initiative will start in 2021.

“We welcome CSU’s creation of a pipeline that leads our students to futures in computer science and IT,” CMSD Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon said. “A primary goal of The Cleveland Plan, our blueprint for education reform, is to prepare students for college and careers that are in demand. That includes providing real-world experience like internships and connecting them to mentors in the field.”

The project is a partnership between CSU, the school district, TECH CORPS, Teaching & Learning Collaborative, Health IT Talent and the Cleveland Foundation.

CSU researchers, working with the District, will study the impact the initiative has on students and businesses that provide them with internships. The project could become a model for other school districts.

CSU and CMSD formed a partnership several years ago to train teachers in computer science and work to make sure every District high school offers at least one computer science class. The university also helps CMSD K-8 teachers learn to integrate computer science and computational thinking into math and science lessons.