News Release for Immediate Release
BREMERTON, Wash. – Olympic College has received a $475,000 Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. government’s independent science agency.
"The grant represents a significant victory not only for Olympic College, but for our entire community," said Interim President Joan Hanten. "It reduces barriers and paves the way for students to pursue a high-quality, affordable Computer Information Systems degree right here at home."
Enhancing the IT Pipeline
The three-year grant will fund the college’s project, Enhancing the IT Pipeline. The initiative aims to expand local high school students’ access to college-level computer information systems (CIS) courses, as well as embed real-world work experiences into Olympic College’s associate degree programs, preparing students for high-demand technician roles in cybersecurity, networking, software development, web design and technical support.
“This award transforms opportunity into outcomes for local students,” said Interim Dean of Business and Technology Staci Snyder. “By aligning coursework with real employer projects and work-based learning, we’ll help more high school and community college students convert curiosity about tech into living-wage careers, right here in Kitsap County and across the Puget Sound.”
The project will be led by Principal Investigator Dr. Lindsey Handley and Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Stephen Foster, both Professors of Computer Information Systems. Handley and Foster have a variety of partners planned for this work, including Mentors in Tech (MinT), CodeDay, Computing for All, and along with local school districts. These collaborations bring industry mentors, employer projects and updated curriculum into the classroom.
“Thanks to this award, we can equip students with both the technical skills and the real-world experience employers demand,” said Dr. Lindsey Handley. “With support from our community partners and the NSF, Olympic College graduates will be prepared not just to step into jobs, but to lead the future of technology in our region.”
For more information or to get involved, email Dr. Lindsey Handley at @email.
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About Olympic College
You’re on a journey and Olympic College will help you reach your destination. Leading-edge programs. World-class facilities. Small class sizes. Professors who know you by name. A welcoming community. We offer all of this and more at a fraction of the cost of universities. Your first stop is the Olympic College Welcome Center, where you’ll receive one-on-one help with every step in the admissions process. Start your journey at Olympic.edu.
Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Grant, National Science Foundation
The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians who work in high-tech fields that drive the nation’s economy. The ATE program supports partnerships between two-year institutions of higher education, other academic institutions, industry and other entities to improve the education of technicians in science and engineering. For more information, visit the National Science Foundation.
