Greater Washington Partnership (the Partnership) has championed over 660 scholarships for postsecondary students across the Baltimore to Richmond region through the Emerging Tech Talent (ETT) Scholarship program since 2021. The ETT Scholarship supports promising students across 14 postsecondary institutions as they pursue coursework in technology that will prepare them for critical careers in growing industries, including in emerging tech fields like cloud computing and AI. Forty-four percent of ETT students are first generation college students. The ETT Scholarship is made possible by generous contributions from funders including General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and T. Rowe Price among other dedicated employers at our table.

The Partnership held the fourth annual Emerging Tech Talent Scholar Career & Game Day on October 28, hosted by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Monumental) at District E and Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The event drew 46 ETT scholars representing 13 scholarship-awarding institutions: American University, Bowie State University, Gallaudet University, Georgetown University, George Mason University, Hood College, Marymount University, Towson University, Trinity Washington University, the University of Maryland, Global Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and the University of the District of Columbia.

Capital One Arena Tour 

Scholars kicked off the evening with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Capital One Arena. The tour offered the scholars a glance into the tech transformations behind Monumental’s $1 billion investment into arena upgrades and fan engagement, and included visits to the United Globe Club and Lounge, the Reserve, and a stop on the arena floor as the Washington Wizards went through their pre-game drills.

District E Industry Networking Session 

Following the private tour, the Scholars visited District E, Monumental’s immersive venue for its professional e-sports teams. After opening remarks from Partnership CEO Kathy Hollinger, the scholars heard from Monica Dixon, President of External Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer at Monumental, who encouraged the Scholars to continue to live and work in our region as they navigate their future career pathways.

The Scholars then participated in a career panel, Q&A, and networking session with leaders from some of the region’s top employers. Guest speakers included Prabhakar Bhogaraju, Head of Technology, Strategy, and Enablement at T. Rowe Price, James Heuser, Vice President of Digital Media for the Washington Capitals, Aidas Jasilionis, Senior Director of People Technology, Analytics, and AI at DXC Technology, and Laura Molinares, Account Executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS). The speakers shared stories about their career paths as well as advice for undergraduates and recent graduates pursuing opportunities in tech, including how young professionals can distinguish themselves in a labor market rapidly changing due to artificial intelligence.  

Afterward, the Scholars attended the evening’s Wizards game—a thrilling overtime match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Industry Insights

“AI can be a powerful tool, but you should never outsource your thinking. Stay curious about what technology can and can’t do.” — Prabhakar Bhogaraju, T. Rowe Price

“In any industry—especially sports—success is built on teamwork, authenticity and finding your ‘why’.” — James Heuser, Washington Capitals

“Hunger and resilience can’t be taught. Be curious, be adaptable and keep asking why and how.” — Aidas Jasilionis, DXC Technology

“Certifications and curiosity will set you apart – always be learning, take risks and don’t limit yourself to your degree.” — Laura Molinares, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Scholar Reflections 

“What’s really special is how the opportunities and programs you find as a student continue to follow you after graduation. The speakers all shared great insights on navigating careers in the age of AI, and it was also great reconnecting with my fellow Marymount scholars. Last year, I attended as a student – and now, coming back as a professional, I still leave feeling inspired.” — Shristi Ghimire, Marymount University ‘24    

“Last semester, I was honored to receive the Greater Washington Partnership Emerging Tech Scholarship! Their Game Day was such an amazing experience – we got an exclusive tour of Capital One Arena, checked out the new United Airlines Lounge, and even watched the Wizards practice! I met so many students from different schools and heard from inspiring tech leaders. I loved connecting, learning, and being surrounded by so many passionate people in tech!” – Kennedy McCalla, Virginia Commonwealth University ‘27 

“I met so many bright, driven students from across the region. Everyone was passionate about technology and innovation. I love being part of this growing tech community. Hearing from industry leaders like Kathy Hollinger and Prabhakar Bhogaraju was a highlight of the day..” — Kevin Tchatat, Towson University ‘27

The Future of the Emerging Tech Talent Scholarship 

Greater Washington Partnership and its partner companies look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Emerging Tech Talent Scholars to learn from industry leaders and gain more exposure to career opportunities in our region.  

If you are an employer who is interested in engaging with students pursuing digital tech coursework across the Partnership’s university partners, please reach out to Kim Sarro ([email protected]) to learn more.