Career Communications Group to host 2012 Tap Leadership Symposium | Arts & Culture

SC State University’s James E. Clyburn University Transporation Center (JECUTC), in conjuction with Career Communications Group, Inc. (CCG), an industry-leading media company that supports companies in promoting multiculturalism and diversity in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), will host the 2012 Technology Awareness Program (TAP) Student Leadership Symposium at South Carolina State Univerity from August 7 – August 9, 2012.

The TAP Student Leadership Symposium, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration, will provide a forum for students to learn from industry-leading STEM professionals and college professors about topics such as cyber security, energy, and the armed forces. Students will also participate in college preparation sessions focused on goal setting, SAT preparation, and study skills.

“Attending the TAP camp and listening to the presenters has given me an idea of what I want to do with my life,” said Tyler, a 14 year-old freshman, who attended the first TAP Student Leadership Symposium at Jackson State University during the summer of 2011. “I plan on attending college and becoming a marine biologist.”

Emphasizing academic achievement to the underrepresented students throughout the country is critical for the future of our nation. Nationally, only 56 percent of African-American students graduate high school, compared to 78 percent of Caucasian students. The TAP Student Leadership Symposium will emphasize academic achievement, personal health, and career development to student patricipants. 

“We started this program to promote and foster self-improvement in STEM,” said Ty Taborn, program coordinator of the TAP Student Leadership Symposium. “We realize that each camp is only three days long. However, our goal is not to teach STEM subjects to the students, but to expose the students to the rewarding career possibilities and provide them with real-life role models in these critical fields.”

The 2012 TAP Student Leadership Symposium will also be held at Norfolk State University, Southern University and A&M College, and Jackson State University during the summer of 2012.

The first TAP Student Leadership Symposium was held during July 12-14, 2011 at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss and a second camp was held during July 27-29, 2011 at Southern State University in Baton Rouge, La.

For more information about the TAP Student Leadership Symposium or to enroll, visit http://intouch.ccgmag.com/page/TAP_Summer_Programs or contact James Gordon,  SC State Universty educator coordinator at 803-536-4692, or via email at jgordon@scsu.edu.