Abstract

A connected program model is developed in a non-R1 university to address the skill gap in the current Information Technology (IT)/Information Systems (IS) workforce. The program aims to enhance undergraduate IT/IS education and research to equip graduates with employability and soft skills to enable them to meet emerging challenges in an ever-changing global environment. The model integrates six dimensions of connectivity including 1) academia to industry, 2) curriculum over time, 3) students to research projects and researchers, 4) across disciplines and the world, 5) students with students and alumni, and 6) students with faculty. The paper starts with examining what skill gaps are in the current IT/IS workforce, followed by an outline of the primary framework –the connected curriculum. The third section presents a case study illustrating how the authors developed and implemented the program in their university. The discussions and future research directions are included in the last section.

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