Two UMBC students were among the 18 fellows selected by Code 2040 for a unique fellowship program that places high performing Black and Latino/a software engineering students in internships with top technology companies and startups in the San Francisco Bay area and supports them with mentorship, leadership training, and network development.

Perry Ogwuche, a rising senior majoring in computer science and mathematics, will spend the summer working at Redbeacon, a startup in Foster City, CA that connects qualified home-service professionals with exclusive job requests from homeowners. Perry is a member of the Phi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honorary Society, and has served as a Resident Assistant, Student Government Association member and as a math tutor to student athletes.

Randi Williams, a rising sophomore majoring in computer engineering, will spend her summer as an intern at Jawbone, a San Francisco company known for its noise eliminating Bluetooth headsets and portable speakers. Randi is a Meyerhoff scholar and Center for Women In Technology (CWIT) affiliate and coach in UMBC's Math Gym.

CODE2040 is a non-profit organization that aims to close the achievement, wealth, and skills gaps for Blacks and Latinos in the United States by creating access, awareness, and opportunities in technology and engineering. Its summer fellowship program brings high performing Black and Latino undergraduate and graduate coders and software engineering students to Silicon Valley for a comprehensive summer internship program that includes a paid internship with a top startup, mentoring, a speaker series, company visits, interactive workshops, executive coaching, and more. The program began last year with five students and has expanded to 18 this summer.

Students who are interested in the program can get more information on it and find out how to apply for the 2014 CODE 2040 fellows program at their web site.