Tennessee State University, the historically Black educational institution in Nashville, announced a dual enrollment partnership that gives students in western and southern Africa access to digital resources to develop their technology skills. The partnership with the African Methodist Episcopal Church will allow high school students to take a coding course through Tennessee State to introduce or expand digital literacy on the continent. Eligible high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors will have the opportunity to earn both university and high school graduation credits that will start them on the pathway to degrees in STEM.
Participating students must be at least a sophomore in high school or in college. The online coding course is scheduled to start in the fall. Other related courses will be available provided students’ desire to continue with their educational studies through Tennessee State University.
Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., of the AME Church and partnering universities in African, stated that “Tennessee State University has answered our clarion call to help provide more opportunities globally. This learning extension provides hope. It awakens the eyes of those often left out and left behind.”
Johnnie C. Smith is executive director of Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Partnerships at Tennessee State University and head of the Africa project. She said students will be provided with learning equipment and resources to ensure success. “This is a great opportunity for international students to study at Tennessee State University,” said Dr. Smith. “I am looking forward to expanding the TSU Dual Enrollment experience in other countries as well.”
The TSU-Africa partnership is part of the Smart Technology Innovation Center’s growing dual enrollment coding program that offers students in Tennessee school districts the opportunity to earn college credits while enrolled in high school. Students in Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Washington are also eligible for the program.
I would like to know whether or not Tennessee State University (TSU) offers similar type of training for the so-called Black people who live within a 2 mile radius of TSU. If not, these so-called Black HBCU administrators need to be duly ashamed and FIRED for communal malfeasance.