The University of North Carolina at Charlotte aims to boost diversity in the technology industry with a new, five-year mentoring partnership with High Point-based NorthState Technology Solutions, which sells cloud, IT and data center services in the Southeast.

The partnership with the UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics includes three broad areas:

  • The creation of the NorthState UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) Mentorship Program, including a designated university staff position to manage the mentorship program.  This program will focus on encouraging women students to pursue computing through education and mentorship initiatives.
  • Creation of the Velva Hayden Memorial Scholarship, an endowed annual scholarship awarded for excellence and innovation.
  • Support of and participation in a College of Computing and Informatics Business Partners Program to support and build workforce-ready technology professionals.

Fatma Mili, dean of the College of Computing and Informatics said in a statement that “The College of Computing and Informatics relies on having strong partners in the Charlotte Business community; strong leaders like NorthState, who share a common vision for the role of technology in society, who understand the importance and challenges of broadening participation by women and minorities, and who have a strong commitment to change the status quo and have significant impact.”

UNC Charlotte already runs the Women in Computing Initiative. Just 17 percent of the College undergraduate program are women, while 35 percent of graduate students are female. Mili said she believes the College of Computing and Informatics believes the University “Can and must play a role in increasing access, affordability and inclusion.”

North State CEO Royster Tucker III said in a news release, “Pursuing a computing degree in college provides a vast number of opportunities in the digital era.  From computer programming, data management, IT security, medicine to digital marketing, computing is an integral part of every industry.  We are excited to partner with UNC Charlotte’s efforts to enhance and expand opportunities for students seeking careers in computing.”

“I’m particularly proud of the Velva Hayden Memorial Scholarship,” Tucker said. “Velva, who was my great-grandmother, was a pioneering corporate leader when she served as President and Chairman of the Board of NorthState from 1952-1974,” Tucker added.  “We at NorthState are thrilled to know that Velva’s legacy will help to inspire another generation of students studying at UNC Charlotte.”