• DMACC was​ one of the first colleges in the nation to be selected to offer the prestigious TechWise program, which is offered in partnership with TalentSprint and Go​ogle.

  • ​The program provides students with a unique opportunity to learn programming skills needed in high-tech industries.

  • Students selected for the program receive the entire training at no cost, along with a $4,250 stipend to help offset their time commitment.​​

  • The third cohort of DMACC's TechWise program will begin in March 2024, and applications to participate are being accepted now through Jan. 9, 2024.

The DMACC TechWise​ program, an award-winning and unique training opportunity for students that is offered in partnership with TalentSprint and Google,​ will launch its third cohort this Spring, and any DMACC students who are interested in participating are encouraged to apply by Jan. 9, 2024.​

DMACC, along with its partners at TalentSprint and Google, was recently honored with the Outstanding Innovation Award during the 2023 Community Colleges for Iowa Awards Ceremony in recognition of the College's implementation of the TechWise program. DMACC was​ one of the first colleges in the nation to be selected to offer the prestigious program.

DMACC graduated 13 students from its first cohort of the program and currently has 32 students participating in the second cohort. The program's third cohort at DMACC will begin in March 2024, and applications are being accepted now through Jan. 9, 2024. To learn more and apply, just click here.

DMACC President Rob Denson said he's proud that DMACC was among the first colleges in the nation that were selected to participate in this partnership.

"The financial support awarded to students in this program is big, but the mentoring is priceless. This whole process has been fun to watch," Denson said.

Dr. Michelle Ruse, DMACC Computer Science Program Chair, also emphasized the program's many benefits for students.

"The TechWise program has offered our students accelerated extracurricular education and experience that rivals an internship," Dr. Ruse said. "Students in the DMACC IT programs who also participate TechWise find themselves challenged by the supplemental instruction while building skill sets for their future careers. Some students also elect to earn DMACC credit while in the TechWise program."

Students enrolled in the program's second cohort at DMACC speak highly of their TechWise experience.

Joel Torres, a current DMACC student from Bondurant and TechWise cohort member, said he had a great time working with fellow cohort members, and enjoyed working and learning in a team environment. After completing the TechWise program and graduating from DMACC, Torres said he hopes to find a job working in cybersecurity.​​

Izabelle Lantz of Clear Lake and Jennifer Larsen of Des Moines are among the 32 DMACC students participating in the second cohort.

“This program has opened my eyes to a lot of things, including networking in other countries," Lantz said.

Larsen said the TechWise program encourages participants to learn how to learn.

“The instructors are invested in you," she said. "They are not there just for a paycheck; they actually encourage you to believe in yourself. I love DMACC because it opened the door for us to get into the TechWise program. Everyone in our cohort gets along so well, which is amazing because we are all so different. Iowa is a leader in the insurance industry, but soon we will be a leader in technology." ​​

Currently, DMACC​ is one of only eight colleges and universities that have been selected to offer the TechWise program; the others include the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; Carl Sandburg Community College, Illinois; Manchester Community College, New Hampshire; Benedict College, South Carolina; Mercy University, Bronx; University of Nevada, Reno; and Jackson State University, Mississippi.​

For more information, contact: Dr. Joel Lundstrom (712) 792-8308