Closing the Digital Divide: Supporting Students in STEM
Closing the digital divide – also referred to as “digital equity” – is something the Red River Charitable Foundation cares deeply about, hoping to do more and cause more of an impact in the years to come. In early 2020, the world embraced digital transformation at an expedited pace, reimagining technology’s critical role in how we all work, learn and live. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated a long-standing issue: billions of people remain without the universal human right of internet access.
The other issue with the spread of digital equity is the accessibility to technology, such as a family of four sharing a laptop in order to work or study. Access to these devices for school or work can be difficult to ensure when the users are unsure how to get set up or use the basic applications. The Red River Charitable Foundation aims to help alleviate some of these issues for families through an initiative focused on improving digital equity, working with corporate partners to ensure access and support for the hard-working individuals who need it.
In addition to providing access to students, one of the Red River Charitable Foundation’s primary directives is supporting STEM education, planting seeds of opportunity whenever possible to give students the best chance to grow in their chosen field. In the history of RRCF, the organization has seen that those students interested in STEM may hold the future of innovation in their hands but require the additional support in order to truly excel. From an early age, students interested in any of the focus areas of STEM would ideally be provided adequate resources and assistance – however, that is not always the case.
RRCF’s Think SMART program
The Red River Charitable Foundation aims to help students find their niche in STEM by working to enabling them to think smarter with the virtual Think SMART Summer IT hands-on learning program. Think SMART ELO (extended learning opportunity) is a program for high school students across the US that want to learn STEM and business skills. Students will receive hands-on and virtual access to equipment, labs, and exercises that they might not have access to in their high school programs.
Richard Ackerman, VP of Workforce Development for Red River, says the goal is simple.
“The students sample STEM and business learning paths and are given programs that they can use to learn more via online self-paced methods. These skills and commitment to lifelong learning prepare them for college and the workforce.”
The commitment to community is a key value of the Red River Charitable Foundation, serving as a driver for growth and a strong motivator for creating opportunities for others. RRCF and its programs are designed with the future in mind, promoting technology knowledge, STEM education and working to generate interest among students. Think SMART is just one of the extensive IT skills and career-building programs that RRCF offers to students interested in pursuing a path in STEM.
The Jeff Sessions Memorial Scholarship
Former Red River CEO Jeff Sessions believed technology could be transformational – both in its use and as a career. The Jeff Sessions Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the late CEO and his unwavering commitment to supporting active-duty military and veterans by supplying the funding to pursue careers in technology. The scholarship is unique in that it supports veterans and military members as they transition to careers in technology, providing them with the additional resources to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Jeff was an amazing leader, colleague and friend who ardently believed in STEM based education and supported the military community with passion and determination,” said Dan McGee, Red River COO. “I am proud that we are able to provide this scholarship in his honor and make a difference in the lives of these individuals.”
The Red River Charitable Foundation has awarded scholarships to 11 gifted students over the years, striving to make a difference in the lives of those high school students with a true thirst for knowledge and devoted interest to a career in STEM. Promoting STEM education to middle and high school students in the local community is a passion of the organization, working with students to help them understand the exciting, vastly creative, unlimited potential and enormous career opportunities that an education in IT can provide.
Red River Charitable Foundation’s 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic
To raise money for the foundation, RRCF will be hosting its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic this October to award the RRCF Student Scholarship winners. As the largest fundraiser for the foundation, attendees will celebrate the students from NH and VT who were selected for the scholarship after applying online and providing written essays on why they deserve to win.
“Our longest standing scholarship program supports students in New Hampshire and Vermont that are headed to college to study STEM fields,” said Kim Vacca, Director of RRCF. “It has been one of our most important student programs because of the direct impact we have had on individual lives. It warms our hearts to help these students and their families in such a significant way.”
Since 2007, RRCF has awarded over $250K to 70 students in NH and VT, many unable to attend college without the scholarship award. Many have returned to Red River as interns during their breaks from college, with an open-door of opportunity to work full-time as employees once they graduate.
“Having [the students] and their families attend our annual golf fundraising event as our honored guests is a great way to get to know them and also to introduce them to RRCF supporters, many of whom are Red River business partners which provides excellent networking opportunities for their future careers.”
RRCF seeks to create a positive impact by focusing its efforts on STEM, encouraging high schoolers to pursue fields in animation, biomedical engineering, game design and development, bioinformatics, aerospace engineering, robotics as well as graphics and web design. The scholarship program has grown substantially since 2008, building upon its successes by seeking out the best and the brightest students and providing them with the chances to further their education. Through effective philanthropic outreach from the Red River Charitable Foundation, students can continue to be impacted in a lifelong and meaningful way.
To learn more about RRCF, its scholarship program, the 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic or for more information about the Jeff Sessions scholarship, email kim.vacca@redriver.com.
