Bowie State Program Opens College Pathway for Prince George's Students

A new collaboration between Bowie State University and the Prince George's County government and school systems looks to open up new pathways to college for area minority students, particularly in math and science fields. 

The program will be an expansion of the Education Innovation Initiative (EI2) program, which aims to help high school students build skills that will enable them to keep pace and be competitive in the global workforce. 

Launched in spring 2013, the program works with industry partners and uses an interdisciplinary approach to give BSU students hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

“The Education Innovation Initiative will enhance Bowie State University’s ability to recruit, retain and graduate more students to excel in the workforce of tomorrow,” said BSU President Mickey L. Burnim in a statement. “This new partnership with the Prince George’s County government and school system will also strengthen our ability to reach minority and female students to help close the achievement gap.”

The program will use enhanced technology experiences to target students between kindergarten and grade 12, and encourage students to pursue a college education.  

"By engaging students in real-world projects with government and industry partners, EI2 will also introduce them to next-generation technologies in cloud computing, cyber security, mobility, and big data analytics," Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker said in a press release.

Final agreements on expanding BSU's EI2 are still being developed.