LOCAL EDUCATION NEWS — New and returning Motlow State students may receive a free T-Mobile, 5G smartphone this spring semester to support academic and student success, according to College officials. The free mobile phone giveaway began on Tuesday, Jan. 18, the first day of classes, across all Motlow campus locations.
The free mobile phone, first-time initiative giveaway launched last fall through a partnership between Motlow State and T-Mobile when 1300 students received free Samsung Galaxy A32, 5G smartphones in support of their education. An additional 800 students may receive a mobile phone this spring. Phone will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to close out the year-long program initiative.
“The free mobile phone initiative has been student-centered, very successful, and even life-changing for some, and we want to conclude this academic year by gifting all 2100 phones to our students,” said Dr. Michael Torrence, Motlow president. “Our purpose rests with helping our students transition future-ready into the workforce or while choosing to further their educational pursuits. We are committed to creating the internal infrastructures and providing the tools needed across our educational ecosystem.”
Mobile phones can be secured from a campus library during regular business hours. Students must show proof of enrollment. The phones are available to credit students, including high school Dual Enrollment, and workforce development students. Once secured, the phones are the property of the student and will not be returned to the College.
Through a ground-breaking partnership, Motlow State was gifted 2,100 Samsung Galaxy A32 5G smartphones with T-Mobile service on the nation’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network. All services, including unlimited hot spots, talk, text and data are free for one academic year which began in August 2021 and ends in May 2022. The phone features Outlook, OneDrive, Khan Academy, D2L Brightspace, and many more helpful options. The one-year free phone service was paid for by funding sources blended to support students negatively impacted by the pandemic.
To support retention, academic and student success, these devices will help students in three critical areas: mental health, hunger, and homelessness. Motlow’s goal is to best prepare its students with integrated services both through work, training, and personal support.
“Our rationale for seeking such an enabling partnership with T-Mobile is braided together among the need to address hunger, healthcare, and homelessness. The preloaded applications will support our students,” explained Torrence. •
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