Welcome to the National Convergence Technology Center
The National Convergence Technology Center focuses on engaging educators, students and businesses to meet workforce needs through the promotion and implementation of convergence technology degree and certificate programs in colleges across the nation.
We enable educators to bring the latest convergence technology information to their classrooms through quality professional development, curriculum assistance, and providing access to technology-enabled instructional support systems through our Convergence College Network program. We facilitate partnerships with the business community and convergence technology industry leaders to guide curriculum development and validate job skills required for future graduates. We also develop strategies to increase the number of students who successfully complete a certificate or degree program and are ready to meet the growing need for skilled specialists in the workforce.
Upcoming Events:
NCPN Conference - October 13-15, 2013 in San Antonio, TX
ATE PI Conference - October 23-25, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
STEMtech Conference - October 27-30, 2013 in Atlanta, GA
Videos:
Reports:
A new report from North Central Texas InterLink, consults with several key members of the National CTC's Business and Industry Leadership Team, to identify the Top 15 Future Trends in Information Technology. This report is aimed to help guide educators in planning for what emerging technologies to include in future programs.
Download the Full Report
News:
Collin College Awarded $4.4 Million Grant for Convergence Technology Center
Sept. 11, 2012 – The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $4.4 million grant to the National Convergence Technology Center at Collin College.
This grant, which expands on the work of the Regional NSF Convergence Technology Center based at Collin College since 2004, extends through July 2016 and is the fifth Advanced Technological Education grant awarded to Collin College since 1999.
Convergence technology supports end-to-end communication via public and private networks, supporting voice, data and video traffic in a secure manner.
“In 2004, Collin College predicted the growing workforce demand in convergence technology, having created programs to address this need,” Mac Hendricks, chair of the Collin College Board of Trustees, said. “With the explosive growth in the use of the Internet and various cloud-based Internet services, the need for convergence technicians continues to increase, and the Board is pleased to see the college expand its leadership to a national level.”
The National Convergence Technology Center is a partnership between Collin College and seven colleges and universities including El Centro College, the University of North Texas, Florida State College, Jacksonville, Fla., Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wis., Lansing Community College, Lansing, Mich., Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, Calif., and Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Ga.
“Receiving this $4.4 million grant allows Collin College to continue to meet the growing workforce needs in convergence technology workers and further establishes the college nationally as a leading voice in this industry,” District President Cary Israel said. “At Collin College, we recognize that convergence technology will continue to play an important role in shaping this country’s long-term economic growth and quality of life. Through partnerships with major regional businesses, Collin College was the first college to establish a Convergence Technology Center to address the emerging need.”
Together, Collin College and its partners will collaborate to develop program improvements to meet workforce needs by equipping faculty to teach emerging technologies demanded by the workforce; furnish technology-enabled instructional support systems to assist colleges in launching convergence programs; increase the number of completers with certificates and degrees ready to meet workforce needs; and build capacity by mentoring colleges nationwide in implementing new programs in convergence technology.
Collin College serves about 53,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development.
