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�鶹Ӱ�� recently took part for the first time in the EMERGE Youth Conference, a premier STEAM event designed to accelerate and empower emerging middle school students in the greater Raleigh-�鶹Ӱ�� area. 

For the event, �鶹Ӱ�� Public Schools partnered with Microsoft employee relations groups to welcome 60 DPS eighth-grade students to the Microsoft campus in Morrisville. 

�鶹Ӱ��’s high school partnerships department was invited to discuss dual enrollment opportunities for high school students and how the college’s CCP pathways align with career fields such as cybersecurity.  

“Our goal is to provide students with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate their academic journey while in high school, setting them up for future success,” said Oluwunmi Ariyo, �鶹Ӱ�� director of college recruitment and high school partnerships.   

The event was broken into three 45-minute sessions where the students were introduced to high school CTE pathways and options, high school transition/support services and dual enrollment/College and Career Pathway options.  

“It is inspiring to see Microsoft engaging with youth in career planning, personal branding, advocacy and responsible AI,” Ariyo said. “Empowering young people is essential to their success and future pathways.” 

This successful event highlighted the collaboration between industry, postsecondary education and K-12 institutions, demonstrating how alignment across these sectors supports student success. 

“We are always excited about the opportunity to engage with middle school students, helping to expose them to college and career pathways tied to various workforce opportunities,” Ariyo said. “These early interactions are crucial in shaping their understanding of future educational and career possibilities.”