Florida A&M University (FAMU) is expanding its Digital Rattler Initiative, providing iPads to all first-year and new transfer students. The announcement comes as part of the university’s third annual Strike Forward Academic Success Summit, which will take place on Saturday, January 31. The goal of the expanded program is to enhance digital fluency and career readiness among students.
Students are set to receive their iPads this Friday. They are encouraged to bring these devices to the summit, where they will be used in keynote presentations and interactive workshops. More than 800 students have registered for the two-day event at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium in FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health.
Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at FAMU, stated: “As we continue to push the boundaries of excellence at Florida A&M University, the Digital Rattler Initiative 2.0 and the Academic Success Summit serve as bold testaments to our culture of innovation. By placing industry-leading technology directly into the hands of our first-year and transfer students, we are not just narrowing the digital divide; we are empowering the next generation of Rattlers to graduate as digitally fluent leaders and the primary architects of their professional futures.”
The summit will feature a keynote address by Imani Jennings, a FAMU alumna who leads partnership and operational strategy for Google’s Code Next labs and virtual spaces. Interactive workshops will also be conducted by companies specializing in educational technology for higher education such as Apple, Adobe, PropelU, along with other industry leaders.
University officials see this initiative as important for supporting student achievement, persistence, and graduation rates. FAMU reports that its academic persistence rate among first-time-in-college students has increased to 98.1%, up two points from last year.
“By connecting our students with academic leaders, industry partners, and success resources, we are equipping them with the tools, confidence, and networks needed to thrive at FAMU and beyond.”
Students participating in summit activities can earn a digital badge labeled “Digitally Equipped. Career Ready” after completing learning tasks during workshops.
For further information about this initiative or event details, contact FAMU’s Office of Student Success at (850) 412-6597.
