A Lansing-based information technology solutions provider is celebrating 20 years in business by paying it forward to another locally-based organization that helps prepare K-12 students for 21
st century jobs.
In early September,
Dewpoint gifted $10,000 to the
Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC)—a Lansing nonprofit that works with Michigan students to build excitement for coursework and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The donation represents a new partnership between Dewpoint and ITEC to support and expand ITEC's 2020 Girls Program.
The 2020 Girls program helps prepare girls for successful futures in the global economy, and is something that peaks Dewpoint's interest. The program helps Lansing-area females ages 9-13 explore studies and careers in the STEM fields. Girls enroll in robotics, game design and programming courses to learn new concepts, hone existing skills, and put their theoretical knowledge into immediate practice.
"Supporting ITEC fulfills our mission of bringing talented individuals into the IT market," says Michelle Massey, a vice president at Dewpoint. "We do that by helping to educate students early on."
Massey says that strengthening their connection with ITEC is a way to support the Lansing economy and build a pipeline of students and employees. Dewpoint's gift to ITEC will also focus on developing self-confidence in girls, as well as relationship building with mentors who work in technology.
"Being a female myself in the IT industry, we don't see a lot of girls engaged as far as technology goes," she reflects. "There aren't a lot of women who are visible in IT, and statistically, we start losing girls between the ages of 9 and 13. This is a perfect way for Dewpoint to engage with girls and help break down those barriers."
Dewpoint is headquartered in the Knapp's Centre downtown, and was founded in 1996 in Lansing by eight entrepreneurs who started a services and hardware reseller company. As hardware became more commoditized and the IT industry evolved, Dewpoint expanded its footprint into managed services, application development, IT assessments, and security and data center operations.
Dewpoint has hired 60 people since January 1, employs 240 people, and has 52 job openings.
Source: Michelle Massey, VP, Dewpoint
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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