720 Final Presentation- Digital Divide

1. Subtracting The Achievement Gap By
Addressing the Digital Divide At
Minority Serving Institutions
Willisa J. Gaut
SMED 720- Dr. Williams
12/04/2020

2. The Issue(s)
I. Only 25.6 % of Black
undergraduate students have a
computer at home compared to
the 55.1 % of white
undergraduates.
II. Of the 19% of rural Americans, 26%
live in areas lacking broadband
III. Only 13% percent of Black workers
have advanced digital skills
compared to the 41% of white
workers.

3. Why Is This An “MSI” Issue?
75% of MSI/HBCU freshman come from
low income households that do not
have computer access.
Most MSI/HBCUs are located in rural
and economically depressed
communities.
MSI/HBCUs confer 74% of degrees to
Black students moving toward
employment.

4. The Recommended Solution (I)
Implement programs & partnerships
that provide students with laptop
computers equipped with Microsoft
Software
Allow 24 hour access to on campus
study spaces equipped with computers
Integrate social media and social
networks into the course curriculum
Utilize applications accessible from
mobile and handheld devices

5. MSI/HBCUs Combatting The Digital Divide
In Real Time (2020 Partnerships)

6. The Recommended Solution (II)
Provide students with portable
hotspots
Create partnerships with
communications companies to
provide broadband services
Create partnerships with cellular
companies to provide hotspot service
to students at a discounted rate

7. The Solution In Real Time
“Minority Broadband Initiative”
(2019/2020 Partnerships)
 Focused on solving broadband
deployment challenges in vulnerable and
rural communities
 Preparing MSI/HBCU students and
surrounding communities to lead the
digital age
 Partnering with digitally driven “Smart
HBCUs”
 Promotes institution to be digital hubs
prepared for broadband deployment
grants

8. The Recommended Solution (III)
Allocate funds to advanced tech
training for faculty, staff, and students
Go paperless
Eradicate outdated processes and
procedures
Host digital literacy fair for students
Strengthen college to careers pipeline
by adding digital skills training

9. The Solution In Real Time
“Google HBCU Digital Skills Training”
(2020 Partnerships)
$15 Million pledge
Partnership with
Thurgood
Marshall College
Fund
Provides 20,000
HBCU students
with digital skills
training
The first 4 schools to have this program implemented starting November 2020: Bowie State University,
Winston-Salem State University, Virginia State University, and THE Southern University A&M College

10. In Conclusion
Ongoing partnerships and increased
funding are critical to conquering the digital
divide amongst MSI/HBCU students
Tuition and fees should reflect funds
allocated towards technology for ALL
students
Implement a technology loaner program
for currently enrolled students
Offer adequate tech training to assist
instructors and students with enhancing
digital skills

11. References
https://www.jbhe.com/2020/05/hbcus-securing-laptop-computers-for-all-new-
students/
https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2019/ntia-launches-minority-broadband-
initiative
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ruthumoh/2020/10/14/google-to-provide-digital-
skills-training-at-hbcus-as-part-of-15-million-pledge/?sh=389398af21a1
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/03/01/517770255/hbcus-graduate-
more-poor-black-students-than-white-colleges
http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2020/05/historically-black-colleges-urge-
additional-funding-to-close-broadband-gap/