The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) reimagines its annual convening and launches, PIT-UN Summit 2024, the marquee event for public interest technologists from across academia, government, civil society, and industry.
Transformation: Leveraging Technology for Workforce Development and Social and Community Impact
Hosted in thought-partnership with Network member San José State University, Silicon Valley’s only public university, the Summit draws from a wide spectrum of voices and perspectives.
“San José State is delighted to welcome the PIT-UN Summit to our campus next fall. Our university’s rich legacy in social justice is seen in our relentless commitment to supporting programs and resources that promote opportunities for historically underserved students. This, combined with our long-standing collaboration with civic leaders and seat in the heart of Silicon Valley alongside tech-industry giants, positions SJSU as a natural thought partner for PIT-UN and ideal host for its 2024 summit.”
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, SJSU President
The PIT-UN Summit will engage leaders from across Silicon Valley and beyond, including representatives from the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Each speaker will share their unique perspective on the areas of impact today and where PIT is headed presidential post-election.
In addition, students will learn new skills as they network with peers and mentors, as well as hear firsthand what a PIT career looks like in real time.
The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) fosters collaboration between universities and colleges to build the PIT field and nurture a new generation of civic-minded technologists. It has 59 U.S. members, including 70% of top tech schools in the nation, and four international members.
Since 2019, the PIT-UN Annual Convening has highlighted and shared best practices in researching, teaching, and growing the pipeline of talent within the PIT field.
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San José State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through its nine colleges. With more than 36,000 students and over 3,700 employees, San José State University is an essential partner in the economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing around 10,000 graduates to the workforce. The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 300,000 alumni, more than half of whom live and work in the Bay Area.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley in downtown San José, SJSU is federally designated as a minority-serving institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Social justice has long been a part of the university’s DNA — most notably the 1968 Olympics, when SJSU’s Tommie Smith and John Carlos bowed their heads and raised gloved fists on the medal stand as the national anthem played, a moment commemorated by a statue on the SJSU campus. SJSU graduates go on to serve as leaders in technology, engineering, health care, education, research, the arts, and more.
