Howard County Economic Development Authority Partnership Supports HCPSS Career Academies

April 20th, 2016

Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) is partnering with the Howard County Public School System to support Career Academy programs and connect students to the local business community. The partnership will be formalized with an official signing on Thursday, April 21, at the Applications and Research Laboratory, 10920 Clarksville Pike.

Under the terms of the partnership agreement, HCEDA will collaborate with HCPSS staff to work with the business community to promote the value of student internships. The partnership will also provide opportunities for students and staff to participate in Howard Tech Council Affinity group meetings such as cyber security and women in technology. HCEDA will partner with HCPSS to introduce students to the breadth of Howard County industries, from small and emerging companies in the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship to the environmental and agricultural sector.

HCPSS staff will participate on HCEDA Advisory Committees, work with HCEDA to develop industry workshops, and explore initiatives that provide mentorship support for students working towards industry certifications. This partnership is aligned with Vision 2018 strategies to actively involve students in making decisions about their learning experiences and expand opportunities for students to explore and prepare for specialized careers.

Howard County Board of Education Member Sandra French, HCPSS Applications and Research Laboratory Administrator Rick Robb, Community Liaison Anita Brown-Lee, Academy of Finance Teacher Maddy Halbach, and Early College Program in Network Security Teacher LaRee Siddiqui will join Howard County Economic Development Authority CEO Lawrence Twele, Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship Executive Director Peter Ettinger, and Howard Tech Council Director Tracy Lee Turner to sign the formal partnership agreement at the April 21 event.

The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate and regional headquarters. The Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship provides a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and advisors collaborating to launch technology-based companies in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Howard Tech Council cultivates technology through innovative partnerships throughout a variety of industries, providing members with access to a diverse collection of organizations.

Howard County Public School System’s Centralized Career Academy programs at the Applications and Research Laboratory offer unique content areas with many opportunities for internships and real world experiences that prepare students for college and career.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office unites businesses and community organizations with schools to enhance the educational experience. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.