Through its ongoing partnership with Historically Black Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), community colleges and tertiary institutions, Verizon Innovative Learning, the company's signature educational initiative focused on advancing digital equity and inclusion through a set of programs and resources, recently announced new beneficiaries of this initiative.

Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, run by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), is a free, project-based, immersive STEM program open to high school students, conducted in partnership with, and on the campuses of, 45 HBCU, HSI, and community colleges across the country.

Alex Servello, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Verizon, noted:

Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers has impacted thousands of students with hands-on learning, mentorship, and career exposure on college campuses nationwide.

About the Program

With the goal of empowering high school students in underserved communities to explore STEM subjects, learn problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to career opportunities in technology fields, the program's interactive curriculum, developed by Verizon in partnership with the Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University, focuses on four educational tracks:

1. Immersive media
2. Smart solutions
3. Digital product innovations
4. Artificial intelligence

Students also receive mentoring, access to state-of-the-art technology, such as 3D printing, augmented reality (AR), and robotics, and hands-on training related to real-world challenges that help teach design thinking and social entrepreneurship.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with NACCE and provide middle school students with a free opportunity to engage with emerging technologies and foster skills necessary for success in today's digital world,” added Servello.

New Locations

The program welcomes six new university placements for 2023, including:

• Cleveland State University; Cleveland, OH
• Houston Christian University; Houston, TX
• Mercy College; Westchester County, New York
• University of Uniformed Services; Bethesda, MD
• Salt Lake Community College; Salt Lake City, UT
• Lincoln University; Philadelphia, PA

Free registration is now open for parents to register their rising sixth through eighth grade students for the summer sessions offered in person.

The program also consists of a full-day in-person workshop, both in the fall and spring, on-site at the partner university.

To sign up for Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, click here.

A network this strong can help change the world

Learn how Verizon is working to further close the digital divide and empower communities with the latest in technology and training. #CitizenVerizon
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— Verizon (@Verizon) April 28, 2023

Educational Inclusion

The initiative also emphasized valuable opportunities for teachers and students, who can take advantage of Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a free, award-winning educational portal that makes next-generation learning tools available to everyone, including a curated collection of lesson plans.

Through the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, K-12 educators across the country get free access to more than 275 lesson plans with 20 corresponding augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) apps. The education portal also provides educators with extensive training and resources, including more than 40 professional development courses.

Educators can click here to sign up.

About Citizen Verizon

All of these efforts are part of Citizen Verizon, the company's responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement that seeks to provide digital skills training to 10 million youth by 2030.

The plan empowers Verizon to fulfill its mission of moving the world forward through action by expanding access and digital resources, protecting the climate, and ensuring people have the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.