UC celebrates first CTAP graduates

The University of Cincinnati's first cohort for the Cincinnati Talent Acceleration Program graduated in December in an uplifting ceremony in the Nippert Stadium West Pavillion.

Graduates received their certificates of completion after fifteen immersive weeks of training in IT combined with career education and academic skills training necessary for college and entrance to the workforce.

The program, which goes by CTAP, is providing nontraditional students with training in tech and a path to higher education. CTAP is a 15-week adult education and training program that’s tailored for unemployed and underemployed workers who want to continue their education while also learning practical tech skills.

Student Ronald Lewis was the first to receive his certification in CompTIA A+ and was hired by assistant professor adjunct Tonkia Bridges to support the continuing CTAP program.

Lewis described the accelerated program as one in which even the challenges are a blessing in disguise because they reveal new opportunities for careers in tech.

“There’s so many variations — you can go into working for a help desk, you can go into security management, you can go on to an array of different things. There’s a big umbrella of fields,” he said.

The next CTAP cohort is now in full swing at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub and a virtual spring session begins soon. For more information on the program, please visit the website Cincinnati Talent Acceleration Program.

Featured photo at top: UC student Ronald Lewis was among UC's first CTAP graduates. Photo/Provided