Most people know Cognizant as a leading provider of information technology, consulting and business process outsourcing services. Here at Citizen Schools, the company is that and a whole lot more. Why? Cognizant has set a new record for volunteer engagement in the first semester of a partnership, committing to teach twenty fall apprenticeships so far, with more signing up every day! Since announcing our new national partnership just one month ago, dozens of Cognizant employees have flocked to sign up as volunteer Citizen Teachers, and hundreds more have participated in sessions to learn more.

“We’re thrilled  to have many corporate partners whose employees sign up as Citizen Teachers every semester, but the outpouring of interest in volunteerism from Cognizant employees across the country is unprecedented, especially at the inception of a new partnership, “ said Eric Schwarz, co-founder and CEO of Citizen Schools. “It’s clear that Cognizant is deeply committed to education, and the company’s employees are ready to roll up their sleeves to help our students succeed.”

Through the company's signature “Making the Future” initiative, Cognizant supports Citizen Schools’ continued impact on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and educational practice, as well as our expansion plans across the country. This partnership is well aligned with Cognizant’s involvement in Change the Equation, a national CEO-led call to arms for private and philanthropic involvement in STEM education and the development of a future workforce fluent in science and math.

“By supporting organizations like Citizen Schools, Cognizant seeks to encourage exploration, invention, and the joy of learning,” explained Mark Greenlaw, Vice President, Sustainability and Educational Affairs, Cognizant. “Partnering with Citizen Schools will help us identify project-based learning programs that will excite young learners in the STEM areas while, at the same time, improve 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and innovation that will redefine the future of work.”