NCWIT is thrilled to name Dr. Maureen Biggers as the recipient of the 2025 Joanne McGrath Cohoon Service Award.
The award, sponsored by AT&T, honors distinguished educators and staff who have effectively challenged and changed the systems that shape the experiences of undergraduates in postsecondary computing programs. Award recipients demonstrate exceptional commitment to, and success in, creating long-lasting systemic change that improves the environment for all students. The award is given in memory of Dr. Cohoon to honor her outstanding research and advocacy work to broaden and enrich participation in computing.
While working at the Georgia Tech College of Computing (2002-2008), Dr. Biggers focused on recruitment, community development, and retention for women and other underrepresented students in computing. She established Women@CC and Minorities@CC, while securing more than $700,000 in corporate and foundation support for diversity programs specifically in computing. Her work with NCWIT began at this time; she co-chaired the Academic Alliance (now Higher Ed Alliance) for five years. She also became involved in Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) grant work with STARS Computing Corps, serving as principal investigator (PI) and program manager for the Alliance for the Advancement of African American Researchers in Computing (A4RC) for six years; as co-PI on Georgia Computes!; and as co-PI on Threads, which focused on curriculum development for undergraduate computer science majors. Additionally, she conducted research on perceptions of CS and links to retention in the field.
As Assistant Dean for Diversity and Education at Indiana University’s School of Informatics and Computing (2008-2015), Dr. Biggers worked systematically with first-year instructors on best practices for retaining students, especially underrepresented ones. She oversaw the implementation of NCWIT-based retention practices, the building of a research-based rubric for inclusive teaching to be used by instructors, and the development of robust academic support systems. The creation of the Big Sister mentor program and NSBE student chapter fostered community, while mandatory teaching assistant (TA) training on inclusive practices targeted awareness and actions for allyship in classrooms and labs. The design of a multitiered, multifaceted approach as part of the NCWIT Pacesetter program goals for IU resulted in quadrupling the number undergraduate women majors in just three and a half years, earning a $50,000 Google award for this achievement. During that time, Dr. Biggers presented a program with Joanne Cohoon at Grace Hopper on Retaining Women in Computer Science. She also served as co-chair of the Indiana Grace Hopper regional event for several years, and co-chair of the Aspirations in Computing program for the state of Indiana.
Another cornerstone initiative for Dr. Biggers was co-founding Serve IT, which connects student interns with local non-profits’ IT needs. The program seeks to attract and empower women students, providing them with real-world experience and confidence-building opportunities. Interns were from a variety of majors, and some ended up picking up a double major in CS, a minor in CS, or changing to CS.
Dr. Biggers’ most significant initiative at Indiana University was co-founding the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology in 2013. As the Center’s Executive Director, she implemented a comprehensive approach to systemic change through four alliance groups: faculty, staff, students, and alumnae. Understanding the role of faculty as key influencers, she established a faculty affiliate program to build community and encourage women’s engagement with computing technology across disciplines. The launch of the Male Advocates and Allies program acknowledged the crucial role of allies in creating sustainable change. During her tenure, the Center grew to more than 11,000 affiliate members across 255 academic programs, demonstrating the scalability of systemic interventions.
In recommending Dr. Biggers for this award, Laurie Burns McRobbie, First Lady Emerita and University Fellow, Adjunct Faculty, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU, wrote, “Maureen is a visionary and inclusive leader who has drawn colleagues from across the institution and from other institutions as well to participate in sustainable and impactful projects and initiatives. Maureen understands the research and the practice, and is one of the most artful colleagues I’ve ever worked with at seeing how the research can be applied to make a real difference.”
Intersectionality has been a guiding factor in Dr. Biggers’ work, leading to the creation of targeted initiatives like Black Women in Tech. Traveling with students to Hopper and Tapia every year helped strengthen their commitment to the field and connect with future career pathways. She also oversaw the design and implementation of an e-badging program for digital survival skills, making technology education accessible and welcoming regardless of field of study.
Dr. Biggers’ approach to systemic change has consistently focused on creating sustainable infrastructure, building inclusive communities, and implementing evidence-based practices. The success of these initiatives is reflected not just in numbers but in creating lasting institutional change that continues to advance women’s participation in computing and technology fields. In 2020, she was presented with the IU Bicentennial Medal, an award that recognizes distinguished and distinctive service to IU.
Although Dr. Biggers retired from her role at Indiana University Bloomington in 2023, her initiatives focused on systemic change and inclusivity will continue to transform computing for years to come. One way is through the Maureen Biggers Leadership Scholarship for Equity and Technology, which was created in spring 2023 to honor Dr. Biggers and her impact over 15 years as a visionary founder and longtime director of the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology. It provides an annual undergraduate scholarship for a junior or senior who has demonstrated an enduring commitment to the importance of technology skills and competency in service of professional and/or academic excellence.
Dr. Biggers earned her B.S in Speech Pathology and Audiology from SUNY Geneseo in 1974, and her Ph.D. in Business Management and Higher Ed Administration from the University of Miami in 1990.
NCWIT is excited to recognize Dr. Biggers’ committed efforts and success in building inclusive communities, creating systemic change that improves the environment for all students, supporting and enriching computing education for women and underrepresented minority students
