Nashville State Community College has partnered with BGSF to create the Darrell Freeman Fellowship, an opportunity for students pursuing careers in Information Technology.Through this partnership students who graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in programming, networking, cyber security and data analytics will be provided additional certification training and other resources.The late Darrell Freeman was a Nashville-based businessman and philanthropist who served as a mentor and benefactor for aspiring Black entrepreneurs. He sold his information technology consulting company Zycron, Inc. to BGSF in 2017“Darrell was an inspirational leader, whose legacy will have a lasting impact,” Nashville State President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson said. “We are honored to offer the Fellowship in his name and are grateful to BGSF for supporting our students and working with us to supply the local information technology talent pipeline for business.”To honor Freeman’s legacy and years of mentorship, BGSF and NSCC formed this fellowship, funding a one-time stipend of $1,500 dollars for students to earn additional credentials and certifications that will ultimately help land desired post-graduate employment. Students will also have the opportunity to work with a technical mentor to help guide them through the process.The fellowship will prepare IT students for entry-level positions in Oracle Application Management, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure/Architecture and ServiceNow Application Management/Administration. The courses provided in preparation for these positions are online and self-guided, allowing students to work at a pace that is conducive to their lifestyle and responsibilities.Each course is designed to ensure all fellowship students are prepared for industry-accepted competency examinations. Industry certifications combined with an Associate of Applied Science degree from NSCC will put students ahead of the curve for post-graduate employment. BGSF will also provide career counseling to help its fellows find the best fit beyond the program.“Darrell was a good friend of mine,” said Eric Peters, president of BGSF’s Professional Division. “We miss him dearly and we want to continue on with the legacy of what he believed in and we think that this Fellowship and partnership with Nashville State Community College is the best way to do it.”Students interested in the Fellowship should reach out to Rob Tudor, Nashville State IT partnerships director, robert.tudor@nscc.edu.¶
