ATLANTA, GA – Partners for Digital Equality(TM) (PDE), The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and The National Hispanic University (NHU), a HACU member higher learning institution, today announced a strategic alliance to support initiatives funded through broadband stimulus funds that will educate and empower Hispanics, other minorities, women, and the underserved in the communities surrounding HACU member institutions.
“This announcement represents a significant leap forward in our roll-out of programming for Hispanic audiences across the nation,” said Partners for Digital Equality Chairman Julius H. Hollis (Mr. Hollis is also Chairman of The Alliance for Digital Equality(TM), a 501(c) 4 consumer advocacy organization). “There’s great strength in partnerships and we could not have selected better allies to help extend our reach into the educational sector.”
“The digital divide remains a major stumbling block for minorities to prepare themselves for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields that are vital to our nation’s future,” said HACU President and CEO Dr. Antonio Flores. “Through this strategic alliance with Partners for Digital Equality(TM), we aim to build STEM capacity at our member institutions and to enhance their students’ and communities’ access to online technologies.”
In addition, The Partners for Digital Equality(TM) and The National Hispanic University’s goal is to implement specially designed projects which provide early childhood development and K-12 online tutorials, GED and Workforce development training, in addition to virtual language translation (Spanish to English) online applications for education and workforce- related initiatives.
Dr. Lopez, President of NHU said, “The National Hispanic University and Partners for Digital Equality(TM) will partner and take the leadership role in developing and teaching Latino families about the usage and ownership of technology. Given that the majority of students in California public schools are Latinos our effort is not only a moral imperative but an economic reality. The digital divide for Latinos in California must be closed if we are to remain nationally and globally competitive.”