Jul/090
Mission Statement
Students for Academic Recruitment and Retention in Computing (SARRC), is an organization that seeks to advance the level of enrollment and retention of individuals in the field of computing. SARRC was formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and has been operating since August of 2008. It has been incorporated since December, 2008.
Current activities include the Computing Awareness Program(CAP). CAP is directed towards individuals who may pursue careers in a computing discipline. CAP is designed to increase awareness of the necessity of computing and the need for individuals to fill that necessity in today’s society. Through instructional outreach programs in computing technology, CAP provides individuals with hands-on experience as well as mentoring opportunities that may have not been provided otherwise.
SARRC has additional plans to extend the Organization Cooperation Program(OCP). OCP is intended to work in cooperation with organizations that share the same goals as SARRC. These programs have been created to address the lowest level of enrollment in computing in a decade, despite the strong need for individuals in computing. This trend has raised concerned from individuals in business and academia about America’s future competitiveness. SARRC takes part in the advancement of Education in Computing through CAP and OCP.
CAP serves three main purposes, increasing awareness of Computing, increasing leadership among current individuals in Computing, and promoting Computing, by removing barriers to accessing Computing. Through outreach to individuals who may pursue higher education in Computing, CAP increases awareness. This outreach includes mentoring, information sessions, technology demonstrations, as well as courses in computing, all intended to spark the individual’s interest and increase awareness of the broad application of a degree in a Computing discipline. CAP also works with individuals who are currently in higher education programs to provide them with leadership opportunities by having the individuals aid in CAP’s mentoring and outreach programs. CAP serves the purpose of increasing the visibility of Computing as well as removing negative connotations associated with fields in Computing. Increasing the visibility of Computing is achieved by outreach efforts to individuals who otherwise would not have been exposed to the opportunity of Computing. Currently, these individuals primarily consist of students in middle, high, private, home school programs who are unable to receive information/opportunities due to budget restrictions, etc. The negative connotations often associated with fields in computing, include the level of difficulty, and the lack of familiarity with computers. CAP attempts to remove these barriers by providing insight into real world applications of computing, as well as hands on experiences. Hands on experience include, but are not limited to, programming sessions using easily accessible computer programming languages, LEGO® MINDSTORM® and SCRIBBLER robots. SARRC utilizes volunteers from computing Industry and Academia. Volunteers from Academia are required to be an undergraduate or graduate student of good standing in a Computing program (3.0/4.0 or greater GPA). SARRC offers seniors and graduate students leadership opportunities to help improve their range of abilities. These leadership opportunities include, leading outreach programs to area middle and high schools.
SARRC currently conducts CAP in East Tennessee, with future plans to expand nationwide as resources and personnel become available to do so. Outreach activities are held at church social halls, public, private and home school classrooms, as well as community facilities. CAP lends itself significantly to the mission of SARRC, as it works at an individual basis to build relationships that support the individuals who intend to advance their educational opportunities in computing. CAP is directed at any individual who is willing to learn about computing, however, it should be noted, minority groups in computing (Women, African Americans, and Latinos) are given priority, only if resources and/or personnel are limited. CAP is essential in SARRC’s charitable mission of advancing education in Computing, through outreach to individuals, increasing awareness, and increasing enrollment and retention of students, as well as leadership opportunities in the field of Computing.
OCP serves three main purposes. Through collaboration with organizations of higher education, OCP increases recruitment and retention of students in computing. The OCP connects individuals who have particular interests with organizations which focus their curriculum in similar areas. This collaboration enables SARRC to better prepare individuals for higher education at a candidate organization in the individual’s field of interest. If an organization lacks the resources to attain their desired computing education capability, SARRC’s OCP lends support to them through the extension of personnel and/or equipment. Consulting organizations on the best approach for outreach to groups such as local area home school networks, homeless association support programs, etc. OCP is conducted by the Officers of SARRC. SARRC Officers work with existing organizations to bring the organization’s computing education methods to current computing standards. Volunteers are encouraged to partake in local site visits to gain valuable peer relationship skills and possible job opportunities. OCP works year around to improve computing education programs of existing organizations and to create computing education programs for organizations that have none. OCP is a significant part of SARRC’s mission of advancing education in Computing. By working with organizations with similar goals, OCP works to strengthen organization partnerships, and the community’s computing society.