NJCU participates in Google initiative to train 200K Latino students

Gabrielle Saulsbery//July 29, 2022

New Jersey City University is participating in the Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program, geared to help Latino students gain digital skills with training and career workshops.

Through a $2 million investment in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the program will train 200,000 Latino students at 35 Hispanic Serving Institutions, including NJCU, by 2025.

“New Jersey City University is honored to partner with Grow with Google to better prepare students for their lives after college. NJCU recognizes the positive impact this partnership will have on students’ career readiness and digital literacy that is so crucial in today’s workforce,” said Melissa Faulkner, the new director of NJCU’s Career Success Lab. “We believe this program will enrich the lives of students and propel them to land satisfying careers. We are most grateful to Google for giving our students this opportunity.”

NJCU’s undergraduate population is 45% Hispanic-Latino and 21% Black. Additionally, 54% of its undergraduates are first-generation college students and 58% of eligible students received Pell grants during the 2020-21 academic year, the university reported in its July 29 announcement.

The Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program provides HSI career centers with funding and a semester-long in-person and online digital skills program. The initiative combines career workshops, career counseling, and programming on design thinking, project management and professional brand building.

“Every student should have the opportunity to learn digital skills for today’s in-demand jobs,” said Tia McLaurin, community engagement manager at Google. “We’re proud to work with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to bring the Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program to New Jersey City University to help more students prepare for the workforce and thrive as they start their careers.”