SEATTLE, WA — Washington Interactive Network (WIN) announced that one $10,000 and two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to women or minorities pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in Interactive Media Development, Computer Science and Engineering, or Game Design.
These scholarships will be available for at least three years and are funded by the Economic Development Council (EDC) of Seattle and King County and a grant provided by the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge. Deadline for applications is April 1, 2013. For more information, go to: http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/win/.
“Despite a struggling economy, jobs and revenue are still growing in the Interactive Media sector, and qualified workforce is still the number one reason why companies locate and grow in our region,” said Kristina Hudson, executive director of the Washington Interactive Network. “It is imperative that we encourage students to pursue degrees in STEM and technology-related fields in order to maintain this growth in such a dynamic industry.”
According to results from the most recent Interactive Media Competitiveness Study (www.washingtoninteravtivenetwork.org), Interactive Media jobs experienced 14% growth in Pugent Sound and 33% growth in the city of Seattle (excluding Microsoft).
"Education is an important cornerstone to economic development," said Jeff Marcell, president and CEO of the EDC. "We are excited to have this opportunity to support the next generation of the interactive media industry’s workforce."
The Washington Interactive Network (WIN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, which started as a program of the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County. Established in 2004, the purpose of WIN is to promote, nurture, and grow the Interactive Media industry in Washington State, and in the last five years the program has created and retained over 2,500 jobs and over $400 million in economic impact in the Puget Sound region. WIN currently runs the REACTOR Accelerator, Interactive Media Education and Internship Program, Interactive Media Scholarship Program, and the Seattle Independent Game Competition.