AT&T Boosts UW Continuing Education Scholarship
Gift enables five adult learners to earn a high-value professional certificate from the University of Washington
With Washington’s unemployment rate at over 7%, Washingtonians are living in a climate of uncertainty and rapid change. However, education can create opportunity for economic mobility. This spring, Washington state residents impacted by the pandemic and economic downturn will have the opportunity to boost their careers with a University of Washington professional certificate — and build a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.
With a $20,000 donation from AT&T, the 2021 University of Washington Certificate Scholarship is expanding to provide five adults with scholarships for certificate programs to boost their career or dial-up their prospects for being hired. These scholarships are available for UW’s 2021 spring courses, marking the first time the university has granted scholarships for certificate programs mid-way through the academic year. Applications for are open now through March 1.
AT&T is committed to supporting programs and initiatives that make a meaningful impact in the community. By supporting the UW Continuum College Certificate Scholarship Program, the company is hoping to provide future leaders with the tools they need to thrive.
“We do more than just live and work in neighborhoods - we also believe in them,” said Hardmon Williams, vice president of AT&T Believes and Community Engagement. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to driving social equality in underserved communities by addressing an educational opportunity that provides families a path to economic stability.”
For the fourth year running, the UW Certificate Scholarship is available for Washington residents demonstrating financial need. AT&T joins local employers including BECU, Boeing and Windermere Foundation as funders of the scholarship program, covering 80-90% of the course fees for each recipient.
“The ‘skills gap’ is an urgent problem facing American employers,” said Rovy Branon, vice provost, UW Continuum College, “UW Continuum College is addressing that from both the employer and employee perspective, working with companies to make sure we know what skills are in demand.”
Branon says, “Gifts from community partners like AT&T make it possible for adults to take our programs who wouldn’t otherwise be able to. At a time when continual learning has never been more critical to people’s professional success, we are proud to partner with AT&T to give students access to life-changing opportunities through rigorous professional certificates.”
Learn more about the difference this scholarship makes in the lives of students by hearing the stories of past scholarship recipients, which include recent immigrants building new lives in the Seattle region, adults who didn’t earn a college degree and people impacted by COVID-19 layoffs.
Scholarship-eligible UW certificate programs for spring 2021:
Certificate in Data Analytics: Techniques for Decision Making
Certificate in Data Visualization
Certificate in Digital Marketing
Certificate in Front-End Development With HTML, CSS & JavaScript*
Certificate in Fundraising Management
Certificate in Human Resources Essentials*
Certificate in Professional Technical Writing
Certificate in Project Management
Certificate in Python Programming
Certificate in Software Product Management
*self-paced programs only
For more details about the UW Certificate Scholarship, eligibility criteria, deadlines and how to apply, visit: https://www.pce.uw.edu/uw-certificate-scholarship