Kennesaw State University launches experiential learning marketplace for tech graduate students.

KENNESAW, Ga. (July 17, 2025) — Kennesaw State University is weaving real work experience into its online master’s degree in information systems, part of a broader push to connect graduate education with industry-based learning and career outcomes. The public university in Georgia, which enrolls more than 47,000 students, announced a new partnership this week that will embed employer-sponsored, experiential learning opportunities directly into its Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program—aiming to meet rising demand from working professionals for flexible, job-aligned graduate credentials.

In collaboration with Riipen, developer of the popular online marketplace that enables college students to take on real-world projects from organizations, Kennesaw State will connect approximately 100 first-year students across five graduate-level courses with short-term, course-embedded projects that will prepare them for careers in information systems.

"The rapid rise of AI and other emerging technologies is reshaping the workforce, placing a premium on tech literacy and hands-on experience. Many of our graduate students are career changers—aspiring to enter high-demand tech and digital fields, and building the hands-on experience that employers now expect,” said Dr. Tridib Bandyopadhyay, director of the Master of Science in Information Systems program and professor of Information Systems at Kennesaw State University. “Rather than approaching individual companies one by one, we needed a platform that could connect our students with a wide range of applied learning projects across industries. This work is about creating opportunities for students to build relevant experience, strengthen their resumes, and make a direct transition into careers of choice.”

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, domestic demand for computer and information systems managers is projected to grow by 17% through 2033 while adding nearly 107,000 jobs. Median pay for jobs that oversee an organization’s computer-related activities is currently more than $171,000 per year. The university created the MSIS program to provide a graduate-level pathway for students seeking opportunities in the fast-growing and lucrative information systems field. 

Tech jobs in Georgia are growing fast—and employers in the state are looking for new ways to find and train talent. Over the past six years, data center jobs in the state have more than doubled. Roles in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics are some of the fastest-growing careers in Georgia, with strong salaries and job security. Cities like Atlanta and Alpharetta have become hubs for tech companies of all sizes, from big-name employers to startups. Georgia now ranks among the top states in the country for both high-tech jobs and STEM graduates. 

While many students entering Kennesaw State’s 12-month MSIS Program come from non-technical undergraduate backgrounds, they bring a wide range of perspectives and transferable skills. The program builds on those strengths by offering hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that accelerate students’ development of information systems expertise and industry-recognized credentials. With the MSIS Program now fully online, students across the country can access these experiential learning opportunities remotely.

Riipen’s unique online marketplace platform is connecting MSIS Program students with companies that are offering project-based internships. Companies of all kinds—from small community-based nonprofits like the YMCA to large corporations like IBM—use the platform to connect with students who can contribute to projects and assignments, build their talent pipelines, and strengthen their brand among students and young professionals.

These real-world opportunities embedded in the curriculum are enabling students to complete short-term real-life work projects through which they can develop industry-based skills, build professional networks, and demonstrate their talents to potential employers. MSIS Program students began participating in Riipen-powered projects in June 2025. The university could potentially expand the partnership to other academic programs within and outside the Coles College of Business.

“In this competitive job environment, it’s critical that students have access to experiential learning opportunities aligned with their career field of study so they can learn the role-specific technical skills as well as the critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that are in such high demand in the workplace,” said Dana Stephenson, CEO and co-founder of Riipen. “Because MSIS Program students will be demonstrating their abilities and value to potential employers, these project-based opportunities also give organizations a new way to engage with new talent.”

Learn more about the Kennesaw State MSIS program visit their website here.

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About Riipen: Riipen is enabling transformative opportunities for students to collaborate with companies on real-time, real-world challenges that are embedded directly into coursework. To date, Riipen has enabled over 280,000+ learners at 700+ post-secondary schools to complete applied learning with 47,000 companies. Their mission: to help students of all backgrounds and geographies to boost their skills, gain career clarity, network, and find jobs they love. For more information about Riipen’s work-based learning platform, please visit riipen.com.

‍About Kennesaw State University: A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

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