Advancing Opportunity for Bay Area Youth

In the heart of San Francisco’s innovation district, Golden Gate University (GGU) partners with Genesys Works Bay Area to equip underserved high school students with the technical skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to thrive in college and future careers. This innovative collaboration combines GGU’s cutting-edge technical education with Genesys Works’ proven workforce development model to create life-changing opportunities for Bay Area youth. Through intensive skills training, paid corporate internships, and comprehensive support, the program is building a pipeline of diverse, skilled talent while transforming individual lives and strengthening the local community.

Program Impact-at-a-Glance:

• 92% of students matriculate to college

• 65% first generation college students

• 94% identify as people of color

• 40% pursue STEM degrees

• 2.5x BA/BS degree attainment within 150% of time vs. peer group

• 68% of alumni who are 7+ years out of the program earn more than at least one parent

“I’ve gained a lot in the Genesys Works program so far, from knowledge and work experience to connection and communication,” reflected Hamzah Awnallah, a Bay Area high school senior. Hamzah is one of many students whose lives have been transformed through this innovative partnership that empowers underserved high school seniors through classroom training and year-long paid internships.

Building Future Leaders Through Innovation

The GGU/GWBA partnership, launched amid the COVID-19 pandemic, combines GGU’s technical expertise with Genesys Works’ proven model of workforce development. Since its inception, more than 400 local high school students have received college-credited training in Business and Data Analytics at GGU, while developing essential professional skills and ongoing support through Genesys Works.

“After taking the Introduction to Business and Data Analytics course at GGU, I now have the confidence to do pivot tables and charts, and I can analyze raw data which is something I didn’t expect I’d be able to do in high school,” added Hamzah.

A Model for Success

Genesys Works Bay Area (GWBA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to equipping underserved high school students with the essential knowledge and skills to secure career achievements, advance economically, and maintain lifelong financial independence.

Interim Executive Director Thomas Knight emphasizes that early intervention at the high school level can dramatically alter life trajectories. “During the internship phase of the program, students receive ongoing support and resources that Genesys Works provides,” said Knight. “Students then use their program experience as a springboard for college and career success.”

The results speak for themselves. The program’s success rates far exceed typical outcomes for first-generation college students, with participants graduating at 2.5 times the average rate for their demographic.

Embracing the Future with AI Innovation

In 2024, the program has evolved to meet emerging workforce needs. A key addition is the introduction of generative AI and prompt engineering to GGU’s curriculum.

“With the emergence of AI as a driving force, we wanted to expose these young professionals at this critical stage to this emerging tool,” explained Dr. Siamak Zadeh, Program Director of GGU’s MS in Business Analytics degree program, who spearheaded GGU’s partnership with Genesys Works.

Students now engage in a unique creative challenge: writing a 10-page story or essay about the search for intelligence using generative AI tools. The assignment goes beyond simple AI interaction—students must experiment with and refine their prompts to create compelling narratives, combining AI outputs with their own critical analysis and creativity. At the program’s culmination ceremony, one student receives special recognition for producing the most creative and thought-provoking AI-assisted essay.

“The whole idea is that there is this emerging tool, but you have to be smart about how you use it,” explained Dr. Zadeh. “Your prompt influences what you receive and so you need to experiment with it. We want them to embrace this technology as an augmentation to their own capacities.”

Success Stories in Action

Taking an innovative approach to the essay challenge, Hamzah chose to work with Claude rather than the more commonly used ChatGPT. “I wanted my story to be serious since AI is kind of serious,” he reflected. “I worked on creating a narrative arc, and I tried to make it moral since I like to read stories that have a lesson on morality. I wanted my audience to gain a new understanding about AI that would be helpful.”

His creative decision paid off. Hamzah’s story, “The Quest for Absolute Intelligence,” earned top honors at the program ceremony, surprising even himself given that English isn’t his first language.

“It’s the story of a beautiful philosophical quest in search of the essence of intelligence,” said Dr. Zadeh of Hamzah’s work. “Meandering through the desert of knowledge and the City of Paradoxes, the story concludes: ‘Absolute intelligence is not about knowing everything. It is about never losing the wonder of knowing nothing.’”

Hamzah’s success extends beyond the classroom — he has secured a year-long internship at DataBricks as an IT Support Specialist. “Genesys Works prepared me for this internship in every way,” he reflected. “Coming to the GGU campus and talking to instructors and building friendships in-person has made such a difference.”

Creating Opportunities Through Access

The program specifically seeks motivated high school juniors who are on track to graduate and can adjust their senior year schedule to accommodate internship hours. This flexibility ensures that students can fully engage with both their academic responsibilities and professional development opportunities.

“One of the core components of the GGU mission is to provide professional training to the underserved,” noted Dr. Zadeh. “When GGU was founded, many marginalized groups were not accepted into certain degree programs. Providing training today in Gen AI and prompt engineering to the broader Bay Area community is a meaningful extension of that mission of access.”

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s technology and financial district, GGU is uniquely positioned to prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges. “To have the ability to work with a partner like GGU, where we can adapt to new technologies quickly, has been fantastic,” said Knight. “It’s such a value-add to the program to train students on this cutting-edge technology.”

For more information about helping to secure GGU’s ongoing participation in this transformative program, please contact Dr. Siamak Zadeh at szadeh@ggu.edu.