Research implications of the tech exchange: Immersion of Howard university computer science and informatics students in Silicon Valley

In this paper, we begin the process of designing a study which will study the implications of Howard University’s Tech Exchange program where students are embedded in Silicon Valley taking courses at Google instead of their home campus in Washington, D.C. Given the partnership aimed at increasing diversity in Silicon Valley, it is worth exploring mechanisms by which this strategy can be assessed in terms of benefits not only to Google and Howard University, but also the student and their identity development and self-efficacy in informatics.