COLLEGE STATION, TX--(Marketwire - September 25, 2012) - The Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology (CMD-IT), which develops national-scale projects to ensure that underrepresented groups are fully engaged in computing and information technologies, and to promote innovation that enriches, enhances, and enables these communities, today announced it has received $40,000 as part of the Innovation Generation grant program from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc. CMD-IT utilized the grant for the Diversity as an Innovation Research (DIR) Workshop: Math Education Delivery for Middle School Students in Underserved Communities using Mobile Devices. The workshop, held at AAAS headquarters in Washington, D.C on June 19 - 20, 2012, convened researchers specializing in mobile devices and applications, ethnomathematics and innovation in math education delivery, and principals and teachers who work in underserved communities. The workshop was keynoted by Dr. Freeman A. Hraboski, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Steve Robinson, Special Assistant in the White House Domestic Policy Council.

"The 2012 DIR Workshop brought together an amazing group of participants to brainstorm about projects that can be implemented by college students as part of design courses or students participating in industry design competitions," said Valerie Taylor, Executive Director of CMD-IT and Royce E. Wisenbaker Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University. "The goal is to have the national community engaged in having these mobile applications available for middle school math teachers within 18 months."

"Each year, I am truly amazed by the ground-breaking work our grant recipients like the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology accomplish through their Innovation Generation grants," said Matt Blakely, Director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. "These grantees are playing an active role in developing the future of STEM education for our country. As a company dedicated to helping people be their best in the moments that matter, Motorola Solutions could not be more honored to support programs such as the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology."

Since 2007, the Innovation Generation program has provided $30 million in support of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs, supporting more than 300 school, museum and nonprofit programs across the United States. The program awards funds to organizations such as the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology that foster and support STEM initiatives for teachers and U.S. preschool through university students -- especially girls and underrepresented minorities. Innovation Generation is a part of Motorola Solutions' larger commitment to engaging youth in STEM education. Beyond funding, the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology will receive ongoing support from Motorola Solutions employee volunteers, who will act as mentors, tutors and experts in STEM careers.

About the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in Information Technology (CMD-IT)
The vision of CMD-IT is to contribute to the national need for an effective workforce in computing and IT through inclusive programs and initiatives focused on minorities and people with disabilities. CMD-IT's vision is accomplished through its mission to ensure that underrepresented groups are fully engaged in computing and IT and promotes innovation that enriches, enhances and enables underrepresented communities. For more information please visit www.cmd-it.org.

About Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving.