HBCU C2 Community Programs

1. HBCU C2 Coding Center 

Since 2020, Huston-Tillotson was named a community center for Coding and Creativity as part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 initiative designed to bring coding and creativity experiences to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their communities. 

HBCU C2 (which stands for Coding and Creativity), affords Huston-Tillotson the opportunity to empower both our students and community with a 22nd Century technological-based vision to experiential learning.  Powerful initiatives, such as our HBCU C2 Coding Center, help remove barriers, common amongst underserved communities, and create pipelines of educational equity and sustainable futures. HT is the intellectual heartbeat of East Austin and having the opportunity to teach Apple’s Swift programming language in a manner that promotes our community’s rich history, not only contributes to a strong in-demand workforce, but cultivate a perpetual legacy of student and community leaders, as well. 

HT faculty leaders participate in Apple’s ongoing Community Education Initiative Learning Series to learn about coding and app development. As part of that ongoing professional development, educators will explore innovative ways to engage with learners using Apple’s comprehensive curriculum, which utilizes its easy-to-learn Swift programming language. 

2. HBCU C2 Summer Coding Camp 

Engineer your child’s future by building college and career readiness technology skills Huston-Tillotson University HBCU C2 [Coding + Creativity] Summer Camp! 

In collaboration with AusPREP, the HBCU C2 Summer Coding Camp is hosted each summer on the campus of Huston-Tillotson University.  Sessions include a hands-on curriculum that allows students to employ technical, scientific, and analytical concepts to solve real-world problems rooted in Environmental and Sustainability efforts. 

Huston-Tillotson’s HBCU C2 Summer Coding Camp is a week-long program of intensive STEM activities and engineering design challenges for both middle and high school students. In partnership with Apple™, the Center for Academic Innovation and Transformation at Huston-Tillotson provides college-level instruction in coding and app design fundamentals, equipping students with the tools they need to prepare for their next educational and career steps. 

Session Information 

WORKSHOP 1 – INNOVATING WITH C2 
Title: Design Thinking & Digital Skills 
Skill Level: Intermediate Level I 

• Objectives: Learners will master new methods to create projects centered around strategies for environmental sustainability that ignite creativity in fun and meaningful ways through video, photography, music, and drawing on iPad. Introduction to coding and SWIFT. 
• Software Requirements: Xcode, Keynote, Playground, Camera, GarageBand and more. 
• Hardware Requirements: MacBook and iPad Air 

WORKSHOP 2—PLANNING YOUR C2 JOURNEY 
Title: Guided Projects: Swift and Sphero Robotics 
Skill Level: Intermediate Level II 

• Objectives: Do you have an idea for an app centered on bettering the environment but don’t know where to start? Interested in robotics? In this workshop, leaners will learn the building blocks needed to turn your app idea into reality. As well, learners will have hands-on training in using Swift code to master Apple’s Sphero robotics. SwiftUI is an innovative, exceptionally simple way to build user interfaces across all Apple platforms with the power of Swift. Build user interfaces for any Apple device using just one set of tools and APIs. In this session, learners will take their first steps writing powerful UI code with SwiftUI centered around strategies for environmental sustainability and robotics. 
• Software Requirements: Xcode, Keynote, Playground, Camera, and more. 
• Hardware Requirements: Sphero Robots, iMac/MacBook and iPad Air 

WORKSHOP 3—MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY 
Title: Application Development: Advanced Swift Coding 

Skill Level: Advanced 

• Objectives: Take your Swift experience to the next level. Learners who already have experience with app development will advance their knowledge base of the Swift programming language and resources. Skilled learners will take ideas for solving a real-world issue plaguing today’s environment to design, create and execute a fully coded and functional app using powerful UI code with SwiftUI. 
• Software Requirements: Xcode, Keynote, Playground, Camera, and more. 
• Hardware Requirements: MacBook, iMac and iPad Pro 

3. HBCU C2 Summer Coding Camp  

Applications will open April 2026 

Grades 6 through 12 

Payment plans are available. For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Miles, Vice President for Student Affairs by calling 512.505.3100, or email jpmiles@htu.edu