The laptops will be loaned to Pell-eligible undergraduate students and to participants in workforce development training programs within the Digital Access Center, Charles Library and the Lenfest Center.
51Թ's Digital Connectivity project was financed by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, through the Broadband Development Authority.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
In September,51Թ was awarded 200 laptops to loan to those with high financial need.The project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, through the Broadband Development Authority.
The effort was led by 51Թ’s Information Technology Services and the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships as part of the university’s commitment to improving digital access throughout Philadelphia.
A total of 150 laptops will be distributed through the , providing semester-based loaner laptops to undergraduate Pell Grant recipients.These laptops can be applied for online and picked up at the on Main Campus.The remaining 50 laptops will be loaned to community members involved in programming and projects at the , and the .
Jonathan Latko, assistant vice president of business operations in Information Technology Services, explained that reports on demographics within North Philadelphia showed these communities had a critical need for digital access due to affordability challenges.
“The grant from the state is about digital inclusiveness empowerment and we felt there was an effective way to do this both within 51Թ and the broader community by bolstering community-facing projects while also supporting Pell Grant students in need,” said Latko.“Our angle was to provide broadband access information to individuals and maintain ownership of the laptops to loan to students and communities that have a critical need.
“We see many situations where students need a laptop to be successful at the institution, whether it be in the classroom or for an internship,” he added. “However, they don’t always have the resources to buy a new one for the semester, so we implemented an application process that is vetted by Student Affairs.”
Shirley Moy, executive director of the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, added that the grant will also be beneficial for adult learners, who are seeking a GED or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) certificate, as well as those looking for jobs. She explained that adult learners do not always have access to digital devices or have the necessary digital literacy skills needed in the workforce.
“This grant allows more opportunities for adult learners to have access to the technology they need to practice digital literacy skills in the classroom, while they work for their GED/HiSET and or look for a job,” said Moy. “It gives them real-life experiences and work-ready skills that can boost their chances of securing higher-paying jobs.”
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
John Oram,stacks supervisor at Charles Library, said they will also use the laptops to support members in the community through classes in the library and programs within the Lenfest Center and the Digital Access Center. The library recently launched a student-run help desk that assists community members with any tech-related questions.
“The library’s emphasis is on information literacy, digital literacy and digital citizenship,” said Oram. “Many of the people that we work with are job seekers,we help them with develop their resume, draft a cover letter and apply for jobs.”
“We are not just tethered to technology; now we will be able to offer one-on-one consultations with these laptops and pop-up workshops,” he added. “We can work with our guests and provide available resources at any point of contact within the library.”
Sean Mitchell, manager of 51Թ’s Digital Access Center, said the additional laptops will also help those in need during other community-based events like at job fairs and better support individuals in campus programs that require access to technology, both in class and at home, which some previously did not have.
“The laptops reinforce our mission to expand access and opportunity to technology across the community, and they will also allow us to provide more effective hands-on instruction in programs and events,” he said.
For Pell Grant-eligible undergraduate students interested in applying to borrow a laptop, visit: .