Columbia College Chicago Online and Genesys Works to Expand Coding Education in Chicago Through Apple’s ‘Everyone Can Code’ Initiative

News Office / Sep 29, 2018

Genesys Works team with Columbia College Chicago President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim (center) and Vice Provost of Columbia Online Rob Green (second from left). Photo: Mike Jue.
Chicago leaders in technology and education join to expand coding education for local students.

CHICAGO—September 29, 2018. Columbia College Chicago Online will expand online Swift coding programs for local students in partnership with Genesys Works and Apple’s Everyone Can Code initiative in Chicago.

The announcement was made at “Cracking the Code,” an event hosted by Genesys Works at the Chicago Cultural Center on Thursday, Sept. 27. The event brought together thought leaders in technology and education to discuss future expansion of coding education in Chicago. Guests and panelists included Apple, Columbia Online, City Colleges of Chicago, Society for Human Resource Management, and the Mayor’s Office.

Columbia Online has already taken the lead by creating an 8-week online course, App Design with Swift Programming, designed for innovators of all ages. Earlier this year, Genesys Works and Columbia Online partnered to enroll 25 high-school seniors in the course. Due to the overwhelming success of the program, Genesys Works plans to extend the program nationally.

“We are very excited to be part of this crucial initiative within the city of Chicago as part of Apple’s ‘Everyone Can Code’ movement,” said Vice Provost of Digital Learning, Rob Green. “Columbia College Chicago Online strives to be at the forefront of innovation within the educational space in order to best serve a multitude of student types.”

Throughout the event, Columbia Online staff shared highlights from the pilot program and announced they will be offering three scholarships for online courses to Genesys Works students. The winning students will be able to enroll in any of Columbia Online’s courses, including two debut courses, Foundations of Swift Coding and iOS and Data Visualization Using Excel and Tableau, starting Oct. 22.

“With this new track, we are able to provide our students with the digital skills they need to compete in today’s workforce,” said Liz Rafferty, Executive Director, Genesys Works Chicago. “Through partnerships with Chicago Public Schools, Columbia College Online and collaboration with Apple, we are serving Chicago’s students better and building a strong talent pipeline for our local corporations.”

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Everyone Can Code is a program designed by Apple to help everyone learn how to code, creating opportunities for all students and preparing them for the workforce. The comprehensive program includes a range of free resources, from helping students explore basic coding concepts to building fully-functional apps.

About Columbia College Chicago Online
Columbia College Chicago Online provides in-demand curriculum to lifelong learners anywhere in the world. The interactive online learning environment was designed to give students the skills they need to cultivate sustainable careers in today's demanding marketplace. With coursework in emerging technologies like AR/VR, coding and app design, Columbia College Chicago Online is committed to providing the most cutting-edge curriculum for working professionals in ever-evolving industries.

About Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit college offering a distinctive curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business for nearly 7,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Dedicated to academic excellence and long-term career success, Columbia College Chicago creates a dynamic, challenging, and collaborative space for students who experience the world through a creative lens. For more information, visit colum.edu.

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Anjali Julka
Columbia College Chicago
ajulka@colum.edu
312-369-7016

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