Diego Diaz / Asst. News Director
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced on Nov. 22, a $2.25 million investment into CodePath, expanding the national nonprofits partnership with FIU as well as adding Florida Memorial University and Miami Dade College to the roster.
CodePath’s programs are aimed at increasing diversity within computer science and engineering programs through the implementation of no-cost software engineering courses and career services.
“By investing in CodePath, we are investing in the aspiration of Miamians and key educational institutions which enable our community to succeed,” said Knight’s Miami Program Director, Raul Moas, in a Knight Foundation press release.
The investment will build upon FIU’s original 2020 partnership with CodePath, a collaboration which has, according to the press release, educated nearly 100 students in technical skills including web and mobile design, cybersecurity and technical interview preparations.
Anthony Pena, an FIU junior majoring in computer science, praised the program in the press release, explaining the opportunities CodePath granted him.
“During the program, I built an award-winning mobile application, secured technical internships at Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Amazon and other high growth tech companies”, said Pena. “SXSW EDU 2022 selected me to speak. Also, in March, I will start working full-time as a software engineer, while I continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree.”
The Knight Foundation’s investment also signifies the continual growing relationship between itself and FIU, in a bid to expand Miami’s budding tech sector.
Earlier this semester, FIU’s Board of Trustees approved the opening of a computer science and technology location within a downtown Miami Knight Foundation office space. The location will act as a collaboration space between FIU’s Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences and Miami’s private tech sector.
“With this investment by CodePath, FIU has a unique opportunity to further expand our strategic efforts to prepare a new generation of tech workers for 21st century jobs,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg in the press release. “By providing all students with learning opportunities focused on excellence and innovation, we are positioning them to be change makers and problem solvers in the tech sector.”
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