Mission

The NEW Digital Alliance is a regional non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation within the digital and IT ecosystem of Northeast Wisconsin. By bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and community stakeholders, the Alliance aims to enhance the region’s technological capabilities and drive economic growth. Our initiatives focus on workforce development, digital transformation, and community engagement to ensure that Northeast Wisconsin remains at the forefront of technological advancement.

Mission

Our mission is to support and strengthen the digital and IT ecosystem in Northeast Wisconsin by collaborating on workforce development and innovation initiatives. We strive to attract, develop, and retain diverse talent, promote digital literacy, and drive technological innovation. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we aim to create a thriving digital economy that benefits businesses, educational institutions, and residents of the region.

Vision

NEW Digital Alliance is the primary authority on IT/Digital Technology growth in Northeast Wisconsin and to advance collaboration efforts that promote tech health of the region.

Key Initiatives

  • Promote:
    • Showcase and promote regional high-tech organizations at a national stage.
    • Provide a platform for small tech companies to be exposed to regional and national businesses.
  • Advocate:
    • Evangelize and promote IT/Digital disciplines and careers.
    • Advocate with local, state, federal legislature to promote policies and regulations favoring local IT/Digital needs.
    • Advocate with Financial institutions to develop funding for startup businesses.
  • Research:
    • Act as a reporting agency by collecting and reporting on regional datasets relevant to digital space.
  • Collaborate:
    • Work with and connect regional higher education institutions and businesses to increase collaboration.
    • Offer a platform for businesses to come together and partner in developing solutions.
    • Work with organizations to improve their access to the region.
  • Advise:
    • Work in advisory capacity with area Universities, Tech Colleges, K-12 Institutions along with the Wisconsin DPI to develop programs and curriculum that are in line with the business demands and needs of today and tomorrow.
  • Service:
    • Develop programs to offer services to members such as recruitment, business expos, and hard/soft skill development.

Impact

Since the NEW Digital Alliance was founded, we have seen:

  • Increased awareness of the digital and IT talent shortage, and challenges in closing the gap among area companies as a result of the northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance economic survey.
  • Increased energy and collaboration among companies and educational institutes around solving the digital and IT talent gap.
  • Development of innovative programs that connect and inspire students and professionals to develop the skills they need to become the problem solvers of today and tomorrow.
  • Development of 1+3 programs where high school students complete one full year of college credit while in high school, allowing them to complete a bachelor’s degree in a specific IT or computer science major in three years.
  • Development of 2+2 educational pathways that allow technical college students in specific IT or computer science programs to transfer to a participating university and complete a bachelor’s degree in an additional two years.
  • Introduction of TEALS (Technology Literacy and Education in Schools) (link: https://www.tealsk12.org), which is a Microsoft initiative that pairs IT professionals with classroom teachers to help teach computer science curriculum in high schools. Northeast Wisconsin is the first region in the state to adopt this program.