During these difficult economic times, several upstate New York companies and
organizations find themselves in an unusual situation. They have many jobs available
with not enough qualified candidates to fill them. There are currently close to 600
technology-related positions open in Central New York alone, according to New
York's Creative Core (http://www.creativecoreny.com).
The Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) sees an opportunity
to help fill this void and strengthen the economic vitality of upstate New York. For
the 2009-2010 academic year, the iSchool will be offering a 50-percent tuition
scholarship to qualified upstate New York residents who are newly admitted into the
following academic programs:
The Upstate IT scholarships are available to full- or part-time matriculated students
who are permanent residents of upstate New York. Scholarships will be awarded to a
number of both online and campus-based students who are accepted into the
approved programs and start the programs in summer or fall 2009.
"The iSchool is well positioned to prepare upstate New York residents to join the ever
expanding information profession, and in turn, we will strengthen the companies that
will continue to offer opportunities to our graduates for years to come," says iSchool
Dean Elizabeth D. Liddy. "We hope that the creation of these scholarships
strengthens the cadre of technology-focused professionals and information managers
to sustain local industries. We are responding to what we see as a known need in the
area and what we believe will also benefit our future graduates."
Upstate New York is home to numerous innovative and technologically advanced
companies, including Sensis, Syracuse Research Corp., Lockheed Martin, Bristol-
Meyers-Squibb, Welch Allyn, Bank of New York, National Grid, Time Warner Cable
and Honeywell. Other entities, such as the Syracuse Technology Garden, are
encouraging young entrepreneurs to launch technology start-ups in the upstate area.
"With our focus on growing and supporting emerging technology companies, we are
keenly aware of the increasing need for information technology professionals," says
Paul Brooks, vice president of Entrepreneurship Programs at the Syracuse
Technology Garden. "The iSchool's scholarship program will provide a real impetus
to develop home-grown information professionals, committed to furthering their
careers in the upstate area."
With its roots in librarianship, the iSchool focuses on educating professionals who can
find, organize, manage and distribute information in all of its forms for the benefit of
people. It is a leading center for innovative programs in information policy, behavior,
management, systems, technology and services. The iSchool-ranked No. 1 in
information systems by U.S. News & World Report-seeks partners who share a
similar mission in advancing the growth of technology-driven companies and the
education of IT professionals in the upstate New York region. The iSchool would
welcome the opportunity to work with upstate employers to encourage their
employees to take advantage of this scholarship program so that they build on their
skill sets and become vital team members.
To apply for the program and the upstate New York scholarships, visit
http://ischool.syr.edu/upstateIT.
For more information on this initiative, contact Sue Corieri, director of enrollment
management, at 315-443-2575 or sbcorier@syr.edu.
