Legislators see how UNC Charlotte is powering tech talent in North Carolina

North Carolina legislators heard first-hand how UNC Charlotte is powering the state’s technology talent during a committee session on campus Thursday, Oct 6.

Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber shared with the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology how Charlotte is supplying the talent to meet industry demands through its computer science and IT programs.

Charlotte is poised to increase enrollment in computer science and computer engineering-related fields by more than 2,000 students during the next five years through the General Assembly’s “Engineering a Smart and Secure Future for North Carolina.”

“Together, and through your support, we are powering a strong tech pipeline for North Carolina,” Gaber said. “This is a transformational investment in our campus, our students, this region and the state of North Carolina.”

The initiative is providing $41.2 million over the next two years to create state-of-the-art collaboration-inspiring learning and research spaces and to attract world-class faculty.

Through the initiative, Charlotte will renovate Burson Hall, one of the oldest science buildings, that will create learning classrooms, a visualization and simulation lab and collaborative research space.

Gaber’s presentation also included an industry and student panel that highlighted how the University partners with industry to support talent and research.

Doug Jennings, vice president of corporate finance for North Carolina-based Lowe’s, said UNC Charlotte and its existing partnerships were key reasons Lowe’s selected Charlotte for its Global Tech Hub.

“We need talent to continue to fuel our growth and to transform into a world-class technology organization,” said Jennings, a member of the School of Data Science Board of Advisors. “UNC Charlotte’s partnership is critical for us to connect and communicate with students, network and provide opportunities for those students to be aware of opportunities at Lowe’s.”

Ayushi Patel ’22, who earned her bachelor’s degree in May and is pursuing a master’s in cybersecurity through the early entry program, said UNC Charlotte has prepared her for a career in cybersecurity.

“The biggest aspect of Charlotte for me is just how it has helped me prepare for the real world,” Patel said. Patel, who interned at Ally as an undergraduate, has been offered a full-time cybersecurity position at Ally.

Following the meeting, Chancellor Gaber hosted a luncheon for the legislators and included students from the William State Lee College of Engineering, the College of Computing and Informatics, and the School of Data Science