Leveraging Technology for Workforce Development and Social Impact: 2024 PIT-UN Conference

The 2024 Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) Summit, held on November 7-8 at San José State University (SJSU), convened leaders from academia, government, civil society, and industry to explore the theme "Transformation: Leveraging Technology for Workforce Development and Social Impact." Practitioners from diverse fields convened to discuss technology’s role in bolstering democratic processes, combating climate change, and advancing equity, while outlining the necessity of multi-disciplinary and cross-industry partnerships in bringing technology-based solutions to life. Featured panelists highlighted the importance of equipping students and the PIT workforce with both the skills and ethical grounding to navigate society’s most pressing challenges. 

Several panels explored collaborative models between educational institutions, policymakers, and industry to build a future-proof PIT workforce. PIT-UN spotlighted the contributions of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in advancing equitable outcomes in education and technology via the MSI/HSI/HBCU panel. In addition, experts on educational partnerships and leadership discussed the necessity of building a K-16 infrastructure for PIT workforce development that convenes public, private, educational, and community stakeholders. 

New PIT-UN initiatives and strategies such as Regional Hubs and a Tech for Change student network will increase programming capacity and provide scholarship opportunities, while also expanding the reach and impact of PIT-UN. The event celebrated milestones within the PIT ecosystem while charting a course for future growth through innovative partnerships and philanthropy.

For more information, you can catch recorded highlights of the conference here.