4-CCF Modification Request TechQuity Chicago.pdf

FROM: Dr. Susanne Brock, AVC-Business Sector Strategy, CCC

TO: Maria Esther Lopez, Executive Director for Development, CCCF

CC: Dr. Stacia Edwards, Deputy Provost, CCC Keri Hornat, Director – Business Services, CCC Veronica Herrero, President, CCCF

Monica Paulson, IRD Grants Manager for CCCF, CCC Lizz Gardner, AVC, Institutional Resource Development, CCC Matthew Tapey, Director, Grants Management, CCC

DATE: 04/16/2025

RE: Budget and Scope of Work Modification for Bank of America TechQuity Chicago Grant

I am writing to formally request a budget and scope of work modification of the TechQuity Chicago grant, effective immediately.

This request is being made to formally align the budget and scope of work with the realities of project execution to date. While the original TechQuity Chicago project design was comprehensive, its implementation faced challenges due to staffing transitions, difficulty maintaining the college-based design team model, and limited integration of career development and employer partnerships for work-based learning and job placement. As a result, some planned activities were delayed, others only partially implemented, and a few were not initiated. The proposed modifications ensure that remaining funds are strategically allocated to support a streamlined, district-wide approach—positioning the project to fully deliver on its intended impact within the approved extension period. Below, please find the relevant details:

Salesforce Project Grant Name: TechQuity Chicago

Grant Number / Project ID (PD#): 2012203A-20

Original Award Amount: $1,000,000

Original Grant Term (Start – End): 11/30/2020 – 11/29/2024

Proposed New End Date: 12/31/2026

Remaining Balance (as of today): Insert Amount} / {Insert %}

$369,616.75 (37%)

Projected Balance at Original End Date and % of Total Grant:

$381,000 (38.1%)

Original Purpose of Funds: The original purpose of the TechQuity Chicago initiative, funded by Bank of America, was to create a pipeline for diverse talent into high-wage, high-demand careers, particularly targeting communities of color and traditionally underserved populations. The initiative focused on providing rigorous, accessible, and tuition-free training programs in Information Technology and Business fields, alongside comprehensive student support services. The ultimate goal was to enhance economic mobility by connecting well-prepared program completers to sustainable career opportunities through employer partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning experiences.

Reason for Modification: {Provide Specifics—e.g., impact of delay, importance of full implementation}

The modification of the original TechQuity Chicago project is driven by the need to realign the initiative with current workforce demands, operational lessons learned, and institutional priorities across the City Colleges of Chicago. While the original plan focused primarily on program development and student outreach at Harold Washington College, TechQuity Chicago 2.0 transitions the project into a district-led model housed under the Center of Excellence in Business to ensure greater scale, consistency, and sustainability. This updated approach expands program offerings across multiple colleges, strengthens employer engagement through a centralized strategy, and prioritizes robust job placement pathways and work-based learning opportunities. The modifications also address key gaps from the initial phase—including uneven project and student support, underdeveloped career services, and limited employer engagement—while reaffirming the original goal of connecting underrepresented students to high-wage, high-demand careers in business and tech.

If a Budget Modification is Requested:

{Describe how remaining funds will be used within the extended timeline}

Please see attached document – Original vs. Revised Budget

Original Deliverables: {List Deliverables}

Will the Deliverables Change with This Request? {Yes/No – If Yes, Please Explain How and Why}

Please see attached documents – Cohort Schedule & Exam Fees and Original Deliverables & What’s Changing

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to request additional information.

Sincerely, Dr. Susanne Brock AVC-Business Sector Strategy Email: sbrock13@ccc.edu Phone: 312.553.2655

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Original vs Revised Budget

2. Cohort Schedule & Exam Fees

3. Original Deliverables and What’s Changing

Budget Modification Request for BOA Approval

Budget Category Description Amount Personnel

Salary Program Director ($80,000/annually for 17 months, 60/40 split with Sales program) 51,000.00$ Project Coordinator (20 months) 121,871.67$ Instructors 66,080.00$

Benefits Program Director (30% of salary) 15,300.00$ Project Coordinator (30% of salary) 36,561.50$

Participant Support Costs Certification Exam Vouchers (see calculation) 23,311.20$ Course Materials 30,000.00$

Marketing & Recruitment Experiential & WBL Event (2 employer-student networking events) 6,600.00$ Information Sessions (5 sessions) 3,819.66$ Marketing & Outreach Materials 3,572.72$ Marketing & Recruitment Digital Campaign 11,500.00$

TOTAL 369,616.75$

TechQuity Chicago Budget Modification Request

Overview of Revised Budget for Remaining Balance

Prepared 4/16/2025 by Dr. Susanne Brock, AVC-Business Sector Strategy

Attachment 1

Budget Modification Request for BOA Approval

TechQuity Chicago Budget TechQuity Chicago Budget Spent Remaining Budget Redistributed Budget Modification Request 1,000,000.00$ 622,281.65$ 369,616.75$ 369,616.75$

As of 4/16/2025

Description Detail Total Original Budget Spent as of 3/6/2025 Revision Proposed Total Budget As Redistributed

(Spent+Revision) Personnel Salary

PT Coordinator PT Coordinator (Recruit/Marketing) 104,000.00$ -$ FT Project Coordinator -$ 121,871.67$ 121,871.67$ PT Advisor 64,000.00$ -$ -$ PT WBL Coach 64,000.00$ -$ -$ Faculty Curriculum Alignment 30,000.00$ -$ -$ Program Director $80,000 annually for 17 months, 60/40 split with Sales Program -$ 51,000.00$ 51,000.00$ Teaching Faculty Costs based on class schedule projections -$ 66,080.00$ 66,080.00$

Fringe Benefits -$ FT Coordinator -$ 36,561.50$ 36,561.50$ PT Coordinator 15,516.80$ -$ -$ PT Advisor 9,548.80$ -$ -$ PT WBL Coach 9,548.80$ -$ -$ Program Director -$ 15,300.00$ 15,300.00$

468,531.00$ ALREADY SPENT

Subtotal Salary & Benefits 296,614.40$ 468,531.00$ 290,813.17$ 759,344.17$ Subtotal Salary & Benefits

Contractual Services Catalyte Training 188,000.00$ -$ -$

Subtotal Contractual Services 188,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ Subtotal Contractual Services

Materials & Supplies Marketing Materials 16,000.00$ -$ -$ -$ Marketing & Recruitment Materials -$ -$ 3,572.72$ 3,572.72$ Instructional and Student Supplies 8,916.00$ 43,621.15$ 30,000.00$ 73,621.15$

Subtotal Materials & Supplies 24,916.00$ 43,621.15$ 33,572.72$ 77,193.87$ Subtotal Materials & Supplies

Participant Costs Certification Exam Vouchers (see calculation on other sheet) -$ 23,311.20$ 23,311.20$ Student Compensation (spent as Grants & Scholarships) 470,470.00$ 110,129.50$ -$ 110,129.50$

Subtotal Participant Costs 470,470.00$ 110,129.50$ 23,311.20$ 133,440.70$

Other Workshops for Faculty 20,000.00$ -$ -$ -$

Experiential & WBL Event (2 employer-student networking events) -$ 6,600.00$ 6,600.00$ Marketing & Recruitment Digital Campaign 11,500.00$ 11,500.00$ Information Sessions (4 sessions) -$ 3,819.66$ 3,819.66$

Subtotal Other 20,000.00$ -$ 21,919.66$ 21,919.66$ Subtotal Other

Total Grant Budget 1,000,000.40$ 622,281.65$ 369,616.75$ 991,898.40$ Total Grant Budget

Note: We are including costs for instructors but not also charging the grant tuition. Tuition should be $0.

Prepared 4/16/2025 by Dr. Susanne Brock, AVC-Business Sector Strategy

TechQuity Chicago District-Wide Cohort Schedule and Exam Fees

Updated April 1, 2025

Cohort Schedule (May 2025 – Dec 2026)

Exam Fees Based on Cohost Schedule

BY PROGRAM

Program Cohort Start Date Cohort End Date Duration Student Projections

Cybersecurity Networking (Network+) (Cohort 1) 5/5/2025 8/24/2025 4 hours/week/16 weeks 12 Cybersecurity Networking (Network+) (Cohort 2) 3/24/2026 7/13/2026 4 hours/week/16 weeks 15 Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Security+) (Cohort 1) 7/14/2025 11/2/2025 4 hours/week/16 weeks 12 Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Security+) (Cohort 2) 9/8/2025 12/28/2025 4 hours/week/16 weeks 12 Securities Industry Essentials (Cohort 1) 5/19/2025 8/24/2025 3 hours/1 week and 4 hours/13 weeks 8 Securities Industry Essentials (Cohort 2) 1/19/2026 4/26/2026 3 hours/1 week and 4 hours/13 weeks 8 Foundations of AI & ML with AWS (Cohort 1) 6/2/2025 8/10/2025 4 hours/week/10 weeks 15 Foundations of AI & ML with AWS (Cohort 2) 1/12/2026 3/22/2026 4 hours/week/10 weeks 15 Data Analytics (Cohort 1) 5/26/2025 2/1/2026 4 hours/week/36 weeks 12 Data Analytics (Cohort 2) 10/6/2025 6/14/2026 4 hours/week/36 weeks 14 Digital Marketing & Social Media (Cohort 1) 6/16/2025 10/5/2025 4 hours/16 weeks 12 Digital Marketing & Social Media (Cohort 2) 2/2/2026 5/24/2026 4 hours/16 weeks 15

Exam Fees Cost Each Number of Students Total Costs - 100% Projected Costs 80% Take Exam Network+ 369.00$ 27 9,963.00$ 7,970.40$ Security+ 404.00$ 24 9,696.00$ 7,756.80$

SIE 80.00$ 16 1,280.00$ 1,024.00$

AI & ML Bootcamp 100.00$ 30 3,000.00$ 2,400.00$ Data Analytics (3 certs) 200.00$ 26 5,200.00$ 4,160.00$ Digital Marketing & Social Media -$ 27 -$ -$

150 29,139.00$ 23,311.20$

85% Comp Rate 127.5 80% Take Exam 120

Attachment 2

TechQuity Chicago Original Deliverables and What’s Changing

Key Original Deliverables as Reflected in the Plan

1. Talent Recruitment & Pipeline Development

• Identify and recruit diverse talent from three pipelines: current HWC students, alumni, and external/career changers

• Use targeted marketing and social media to generate leads and drive applications

2. Awareness & Engagement Activities

• Host multiple virtual info sessions per program

• Launch digital marketing campaigns (email, website, social media)

• Provide transparent details about costs, program pathways, and outcomes

3. Training & Program Delivery

• Offer free, modular, mastery-based training in 5 programs (credit and non-credit) – Software Development (non-credit Catalyte), Cybersecurity Basic Certificate (18 credits), Cybersecurity Bootcamp, Software Development Basic Certificate (21 credits), and Social Media (non-credit certificate)

• Implement screening processes (e.g., Catalyte exam), track student interest forms, and match candidates to appropriate programs

4. Student Support Services

• Cover tuition and certification exam fees

• Offer financial literacy sessions, monthly 1:1 career counseling, advising, and embedded tutoring

5. Retention, Completion, and Career Readiness

• Set retention goal of 80% across programs

• Integrate capstone projects, internships, and credentialing opportunities into the curriculum

• Track student performance through employer and faculty feedback, job placement rates, and other data

6. Employer Partnerships & Hiring Commitments

• Establish employer engagement via CCC industry committees and employer mentoring

• Secure hiring commitments and formalize partnerships through MOUs

Attachment 3

• Develop pathways to transition program completers into internships, apprenticeships, or jobs

7. Faculty & Staff Development

• Provide DEI-focused professional development to faculty and support staff

8. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Pathways

• Develop PLA agreements to grant academic credit for non-credit program completions in Software Development, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing

9. Long-Term Career Tracking

• Track completers’ job status, salaries, promotions, and retention over time to assess long-term impact.

10. Best Practices and Institutional Models

• Create replicable frameworks for program development, student recruitment, employer engagement, and student support services to inform CCC-wide strategy.

What Is Changing in TechQuity Chicago 2.0

1. From College-Led to District-Led Coordination

Originally housed at Harold Washington College (HWC), the program is now managed centrally by the Business Sector Strategy team at the District Office and supported by the AVC-IT Sector Strategy and the Executive Director-Apprenticeships & Workforce Solutions. This shift enables stronger cross-college coordination, consistent messaging, and centralized oversight.

2. Expanded Program Delivery Across Colleges

In the original plan, all programs were run through HWC. Now, multiple City Colleges (TR, KK, WW, HW) are involved in instruction and program delivery, with cohorts assigned per college while maintaining district-wide access and centralized registration.

3. Expanded and Updated Program Offerings

While the original project focused on five programs, the relaunch includes additional courses like Foundations of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning with AWS and a more clearly structured Data Analytics pathway. This reflects updated industry demands and CCC’s broader capacity.

4. Integrated Career Readiness Through College Services and Curriculum

With the expansion, TechQuity 2.0 leverages Career Development Services teams at each participating college to provide tailored support—including resume building, interview prep, career exploration, and job search assistance. In addition, career development activities are embedded directly into the curriculum for each program. This dual approach ensures that students not only build technical competencies but also gain the professional skills needed to navigate work-based learning opportunities, internships, and employment. By combining localized career services with intentional course design, TechQuity Chicago strengthens the pathway from learning to employment.

5. Broader and More Strategic Marketing & Recruitment

Marketing efforts are no longer handled solely at the college level. The new plan features a district-led digital campaign, centralized email outreach, and branded collateral, with local amplification by CE and student services teams. There are also monthly virtual and in-person info sessions coordinated centrally.

6. Dedicated Program Leadership to Strengthen Employer Engagement

While the original phase of TechQuity Chicago was launched with robust college-based design teams, sustained support for day-to-day operations proved challenging. In practice, much of the program coordination, student communication, and implementation responsibilities fell to the Project Coordinator, limiting the capacity to scale or deepen employer engagement. To address this, a new Program Director for Business & Technology Initiatives has been introduced to provide the critical leadership and strategic capacity needed to advance the initiative. This role ensures strong execution of the relaunch—including oversight of employer partnerships, work-based learning (WBL) coordination, TechQuity Talent Showcases, and hiring pipelines. By centralizing this leadership at the District Office, TechQuity Chicago is positioned for more robust, consistent employer engagement and district-wide collaboration, with support from college teams.

7. Unified Program Metrics and Accountability

A clear performance dashboard is introduced with targets:

• ≥85% credential completion rate

• ≥60% job/WBL placement rate

• ≥25% info session attendance-to-enrollment conversion rate

This data-driven approach represents a more rigorous structure for evaluating impact compared to the original project.

8. District-Level Tracking of Student Outcomes & Sustainability Planning

Student support, employer engagement, and placement tracking are now structured at a systems level to ensure continuity, sustainability, and scaling. Planning for future phases and sustainability is integrated into the timeline, which was absent from the original plan.

9. Shift in Timeline and Implementation Structure

The original implementation window was May 2021–July 2022, centered on curriculum and pipeline development. The updated plan is mapped through the end of 2026, with detailed monthly milestones, reflecting an operational rollout focus rather than a design-phase emphasis.