Appian Helps University of South Florida Prepare Students for a Low-Code Future

The Appian platform is helping create new skills and new job opportunities

RESTON, Va., Sept. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appian (NASDAQ:APPN), a leading Low-Code and Business Process Management platform provider, and the University of South Florida (USF) today announced that USF has developed a comprehensive skills training and job placement program that prepares students for careers in the emerging world of low-code application development. The program, led by USF Chief Information Officer Sidney Fernandes, utilizes the Appian platform and Appian Trainers and resources.

"The IT landscape is changing and that means IT job opportunities are changing as well," said Fernandes. "Low-code development technologies and techniques are emerging as a driving force of digital transformation in the corporate world. Our mission at USF is to prepare our students for the future, and that's what this program is designed to help us achieve."

The program, called "Low-Code Skills Workshop," is offered to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as USF employees, at no cost. The workshop provides two weeks of immersion in the technical aspects of low-code platforms and the Agile methodology of low-code development. Training is provided by Appian's Professional Services and Training organization, with the participation of USF IT staff. In the second week of the course, students split into small teams to build new IT applications on the platform. Deans from across the university nominate student candidates, and those candidates are then narrowed to approximately 15 participants per program.  To this point, USF has held three workshops.

USF IT has already hired six workshop participants for full-time jobs and the department is currently evaluating graduates from the most recent program for possible positions. One of those new hires is Amanda Ippolito.  She worked in the university's human resources department and helped administer the program.

"I'm not a technologist, but I thought it looked interesting so I asked if I could try it," Ippolito said. "Now, all of a sudden, I have a whole new career, which is really exciting."

The university is currently moving forward with plans to make the program a credit-earning course. In addition, the university is looking into offering the workshop through USF Continuing Education for professionals looking to acquire new skills or change careers.

"Corporate IT teams are in a bind," said Michael Beckley, Chief Technology Officer at Appian. "They have a mandate to drive innovation and business growth, but the traditional developer skills available to them are costly and scarce. Low-code approaches change the game, turbo-charging IT with faster platforms and an expanded pool of developers. The USF workshops show that tomorrow's developers can come from anywhere."

USF students or staff interested in the program can find more information by visiting the USF Continuing Education website, emailing CE-Inquiries@usf.edu or calling (813) 974-3255.

This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future of low-code development technologies and techniques, including their role in the digital transformation of the corporate world and the potential value that the technologies and techniques will offer to corporate IT teams in the future, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Appian has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that Appian believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks related to future growth of the market for low-code solutions to drive digital transformation and the risks and uncertainties set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of Appian's prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on May 26, 2017, and subsequent reports that Appian has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Moreover, Appian operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for Appian's management to predict all risks, nor can Appian assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements Appian may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, Appian cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, achievements or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will occur. Appian is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law.  

About Appian
Appian provides a leading low-code software development platform that enables organizations to rapidly develop powerful and unique applications. The applications created on Appian's platform help companies drive digital transformation and competitive differentiation. For more information, visit www.appian.com.

Media Contact:
Nicole Greggs
Director of Media Relations
+1 703-260-7868
nicole.greggs@appian.com