Juan Mejia Garcia will enter his senior year at Shadow Ridge High School with new programming and web development skills that allowed him to create his first website, thanks to a UNLV program that connects students like him with opportunities to develop those skills.

Last month, Mejia Garcia and several of his peers in the IT Workforce Talent Pipeline program were honored at a commencement at UNLV, where they were able to reflect on what they learned during the program with family, program mentors, and UNLV faculty.

“I gained programming skills that honestly I don’t think I would have been exposed to until very late into my career, so having this exposure early on, I think, will really benefit me in the future,” Mejia Garcia said.

The program, which was funded through the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT), gives Nevada high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to develop skills in information technology, computer science, and cybersecurity.

Xue Xing, the project’s lead and an associate professor of career-technical and postsecondary education at UNLV’s College of Education, told students they were becoming an integral part of a global network of problem-solvers, creators and pioneers.

“The world of IT is not just about technology, but about people, about solving real-world problems, enhancing lives, and building a better future,” she said. “You are the architects of that future, and I have no doubt that you will approach this task with the same enthusiasm and commitment that brought you here today.”

The program allows students to network with future employers in the IT field, teaching them skills around seeking and securing employment. Students in last year’s cohort were attended networking events hosted by the governor’s office and toured sites like the International Innovation Center in downtown Las Vegas to meet and network with industry professionals.

One of the industry partners at the students’ commencement was Jimmy Jacobson, chief technology officer for remote software development company Codingscape, which provided paid internships to students during the first year of the program.

Jacobson said his colleagues were impressed with how smart and workforce-ready the students were already coming into the program.

“My message is to potential industry partners here in Southern Nevada,” Jacobson said. “We had an incredible experience working with these students and saw ROI [return on investment] on the time that was spent — and I’d encourage other businesses locally to get involved and be industry partners and help support the internships and the mentorship.”

Roughly 100 students applied for the program in its inaugural year, and 29 were accepted and enrolled. Eight were female, 14 were Hispanic, seven were non-Hispanic minorities (specifically Black students) and two were students from rural areas, including Isabel Miller from Nye County.

Before the program, Miller said she knew she wanted to go to college but didn’t know where or for what. Following the program, she’ll study computer science at Southern Utah University this fall.

“This program really solidified that for me,” she said. “That I’m good at it, I can pursue it, and that I can reach for higher achievements.”

The program recently received a second round of funding from MGM Resorts International, and will continue in its second iteration as Tech Ready Rebels. The program will continue to receive full support from the College of Education, College of Engineering, and the National Institute for the Advancement of Education at UNLV.

Enrolled students can end up with six college credits, one high school elective credit, and one industry credential of a student’s choice needed to be successful in obtaining a job or advancing their education.

Yingtao Jiang, associate dean for undergraduate programs at the College of Engineering, said he hoped the program would grow to become a signature program for UNLV and the Clark County School District. Engineering hosted the closing ceremony for the students and their families at its new Advanced Engineering Building.

“They’re so bright; they’ve accomplished so much in their life,” Jiang said of the students who participated in the program. “When we think about the future economy here, we need those people to join our workforce and help diversify and grow our economy.”