Oak Hill Collaborative Receives $10K from AT&T

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A $10,000 contribution from communications giant AT&T to the Oak Hill Collaborative will help young people receive education and training toward improving computer and science skills.

The initiative is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s program to help develop the aptitude of high school students in science, technology, education and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines.

Oak Hill, along with partner Youngstown State University, has launched an interactive STEM program – Video Game Jam: Oak Hill – in which high school students from the city of Youngstown will learn programming skills through the development of video games. Students will learn skills such as C++ programming language and object-oriented programming through video-game development.

The program, which begins in September, will feature guidance and assistance from experienced game developers and computer science professionals, said Pat Kerrigan, executive director of Oak Hill.

“AT&T shares our goal of promoting innovation and interest in technology jobs,” Kerrigan said. “They are a long time partner of ours and we are excited to have this support for their initiative that will benefit both our young people and the future of Youngstown. And, we are very pleased to have the support from YSU – it’s a great collaboration.”

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said programs such as those provided through Oak Hill are vital to the community. “For our community to continue to succeed in the 21st century, our students and our workforce need digital skills like these,” he said. “It’s great to see Oak Hill, AT&T and YSU working together to create opportunities for people to move into rewarding careers.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.