Communications of the ACM
Project Login Aims to Double State's Computer Science Graduation Rate
"Some students . . . [come] in and say, 'I want to be in computers, I want to be a web developer,'" says Diana Kokoska of the University of Maine at Augusta's computer information systems program.
Maine is expected to see a shortage of 977 computer and information technology (IT) professionals by 2018, according to a Southern Maine Community College report. The University of Maine and Educate Maine recently launched Project Login, which aims to double the number of computer science and information technology graduates from the university system, from 80 in 2011 to 160 in 2016. "The University of Maine System has the capacity and the training, the courses, but we don't have enough students entering and staying in these degree programs," says Project Login program director Andrea Maker.
The three main areas Project Login will address are increased enrollment, improved retention of students, and internships for students to gain real-world experience before graduating, according to the University of Maine at Augusta's Diana Kokoska. She says Project Login will launch a Web site with video testimonials and social media outreach to target middle and high school students, military veterans, and the more than 200,000 Maine residents with college credits but no degree.
University of Maine at Augusta also plans to interest high school students in computer science by offering free introductory programming courses through the High School Aspirations program.
From Kennebec Journal
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