FileEnnovar, the Institute of Emerging Technology and Market Solutions at Wichita State University, announced today details of a new extensive partnership with California-based Social Networking Technology Inc. (SNT).
The one-year contract worth more than $600,000 will provide for 18 student support positions in the fall semester and up to 30 positions by the end of the contract. Ennovar has already hired eight engineering and business students to work on the project this summer.
The contract provides funding for student salaries and nearly $30,000 in tuition reimbursement funds for students who work for the institute for a full semester. SNT has also agreed to issue a number of its shares to Wichita State University based on this program.
Students hired by Ennovar to work on SNT projects will work on front-end development for its innovative web platform. The company also has plans to hire students from the Elliott School of Communication for TV and radio spot production.
“It’s a perfect fit for WSU,” said Tonya Witherspoon, Ennovar executive director. “This partnership will allow students from multiple disciplines to work together on real projects, preparing them for the dynamics they’ll experience in the workforce.”
“The students will have an impact on our company,” said Kevin Owens, CEO of SNT. “They will be working on products used by top companies that are leaps and bounds above the status quo.”
SNT established an office in Wichita in January and already employs a full-time staff of 15 in the High Touch Technologies building downtown.
“Talent is the main reason we’re here,” said Owens.
In northern and southern California where the company has its base offices, attrition rates are high.
“It is so unbelievably competitive to hire people,” said Owens. “You have to cut through the hype.”
Owens and his colleagues believe they have found something unique in Wichita: a pocket of talented engineers who understand how to take a project from start and finish.
“And they can write code,” said Owens. “The program WSU has is phenomenal. There are great resources in this town. I’m sold.”
SNT is eager to engage with the community and invites the community to attend information presentations Friday, May 8, and Wednesday, May 13. Refreshments will be provided.
The schedule for the presentations in Rhatigan Student Center, Room 203, is:
- 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 8
- 4 p.m. Friday, May 8
- 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 13
- 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 13
Ennovar was established in April. Its focus is education, emerging technology, experiential learning, evolutionary research, exploration and engagement. For more information, visit http://ennovar.wichita.edu.
SNT is a web-based technology company. It is partnering with more than 500 media properties in the United States to which it brings millions of pages of fresh, unique digital content each day from its proprietary technology platform. It allows users to directly interact with financial news, executives, brands, companies and 300 million investors worldwide.