ECSU Partners with Apple and Tennessee State University to Become a Community Center for Coding and Creativity

Elizabeth City State University is now a community center for Coding and Creativity as part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C². The teaching and learning initiative is designed to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to expand technology and creativity experiences within their institutions and broader communities. 

“Partnering with HBCUs across the country to expand career opportunities for our students and communities is an important step to establishing a strong footing for future careers,” said ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “Coding and STEM development and our partnership with Apple and the other HBCU C² centers provides an opportunity for students to gain more skills that will prepare them for an increasingly competitive workforce. We are excited to be a part of this important collaboration.”

ECSU is now among nearly four dozen universities across the country serving as HBCU C² community coding centers or regional hubs. Since 2019, participating HBCUs have offered new learning opportunities to thousands of degree-seeking students and community learners and expanded their impact through partnerships with local K-12 schools, community organizations, local governments, and more. 

As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is supporting ECSU with equipment and ongoing professional development to become the pre-eminent HBCU C² community center to bring coding and creativity to Northeastern North Carolina communities. 

Faculty and educators will learn about coding and app development, and work with Apple to identify opportunities to incorporate its comprehensive Everyone Can Code and Everyone Can Create curricula, which utilizes the easy-to-learn Swift programming language. Support from Apple also includes mobile iPad and Mac labs, opportunities for student jobs and scholarships, and funding for staff.