Did you know that a prominent article about Carol Bartz’s firing from her role as CEO of Yahoo last week also mentions that she was a “high-school homecoming queen” and a “mother of three”? Although many aver that Bartz was sacked for what the Yahoo board deemed her poor performance, discussions of her professional persona have often included references to her gender.
Bartz’s departure may have reminded you of research on the phenomenon of the “glass cliff,” a subtle form of gender bias in which women are chosen for leadership positions where they are often “set up to fail.” Researchers have found that when a company traditionally led by men is in trouble, a female candidate is more likely to be selected as the best person to “turn it around.” If the company is flourishing, however, it’s more likely for it to continue the status quo of male leadership. Interestingly, if the company has a history of female leadership, regardless of whether it’s struggling or floundering, the glass cliff disappears when its leaders are selected.
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Did you know that President Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act may aid unemployed IT workers? The Act will provide a $4,000 tax credit to companies that hire someone who’s been unemployed for six months, and a $5,600 tax credit for companies that hire unemployed veterans. The President also hopes to “cut the red tape that prevents startups from raising capital and going public,” which would allow for the creation of more tech companies and the growth of IT jobs.
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Did you know that the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program recently was expanded to recognize any U.S. citizen or permanent resident (rather than just educators) who has done exemplary, measurable mentoring? Administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House, PAESMEM honors individuals or organizations who perform the crucial role of mentoring and encouraging student participation in STEM fields. PAESMEM is accepting applications until October 5, 2011.
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Did you know that the University of California at San Diego, San Diego State, and the San Diego Supercomputer Center have received nearly $1M in grants to expand computing curricula among high school and college students? The Computing Principles for All Students’ Success or “ComPASS” project seeks to prepare more students from more backgrounds to participate in computing-related fields through increased and improved CS education.
ComPASS is participating in the CS10K initiative, whose goal is to prepare 10,000 well-trained high school teachers to teach advanced placement courses in 10,000 schools by the year 2015. ComPASS will use the new CS Principles Advanced Placement curriculum, work with the local Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) chapter to expand professional development and support for CS educators, bring CS Principles into local high schools and community colleges, and ensure that local colleges and universities provide credits for the AP course.
Did You Know? is a brief round-up of information and news that crossed NCWIT’s radar this week that we think might be of interest to you. Practices or content of the news presented are not vetted or endorsed by NCWIT.
- K-12
- K-12
- I Want To
- K-12 Resources
K-12 Resources
Act and advocate for more inclusive computing learning experiences. Encourage and inspire students to explore computing pathways that match their interests and abilities.
- K-12 Programs
K-12 Programs
Inspire and encourage individuals of all backgrounds, equip K-12 and higher education influencers, and foster virtual and in-person communities at local, regional, and national levels.
- K-12 Alliance
K-12 Alliance
Mobilize year-round alongside formal and informal educators and other adult influencers nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Higher Education
- Higher Education
- I Want To
- Higher Ed Resources
Higher Education Resources
Build consensus for action amongst colleagues, leaders, and advisors to create momentum for measurable, sustainable change within computing departments and institutions.
- Higher Ed Programs
Higher Education Programs
Recognize students’ computing aspirations, honor faculty for their outstanding mentorship, secure strategic buy-in for lasting change, and more.
- Higher Ed Alliance
Higher Ed Alliance
Mobilize year round alongside faculty, staff, administrators, department heads, and other mentors nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Workforce
- Workforce
- I Want To
- Workforce Resources
Workforce Resources
Employ strategic approaches that avoid the typical pitfalls of traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion interventions.
- Workforce Programs
Workforce Programs
Volunteer to engage with the next generation of technologists, amplify the bottom-line benefits of diverse technological contributions, and more.
- Workforce Alliance
Workforce Alliance
Mobilize year round alongside corporate seniors, executives, and team leaders nationwide working together to create lasting impact.
- Get Involved
- Resources
- Resources
- Programs
- Programs
- Aspirations in Computing
Aspirations in Computing
Aspirations in Computing (AiC) provides encouragement, enables persistence, opens doors, and changes lives for women in technology from K-12 through career.
- BridgeUP STEM
BridgeUP STEM
BridgeUP STEM provides opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to learn the skills of computer science and research methodology within a research university setting.
- Color of Our Future
Color of Our Future
The Color of Our Future focuses on broadening the meaningful participation of underrepresented women and girls of color (Black, Latinx, and Native American).
- Conversations for Change
Conversations for Change
Conversations for Change is an online thought leadership series that presents research-based recommendations and prompts peer-to-peer discussions to further inclusivity in computing.
- Counselors for Computing
Counselors for Computing
Counselors for Computing (C4C) offers professional development to school counselors, positioning them to effectively guide ALL students in exploring computing pathways.
- Higher Ed Programs
Higher Ed Programs
Higher Ed programs recognize students’ computing aspirations, honor faculty for their outstanding mentorship, secure strategic buy-in for lasting change, and more.
- NCWIT Recognitions
NCWIT Recognitions
NCWIT Recognitions foster great potential that otherwise may have gone unrecognized, and foster great ideas that might never have come to fruition.
- Regional Initiatives
Regional Initiatives
NCWIT’s Regional Initiatives bundle research-backed programs and practices to increase the local participation of women and girls in tech fields and careers. To understand local computing ecosystems, and cater content and programming to needs on the ground, NCWIT partners with community stakeholders to build awareness, inspire participation, and connect women to like-minded peers, role models, and opportunities.
- Sit With Me
Sit with Me
Sit With Me uses its iconic red chair to create in-person and virtual spaces where everyone can reflect on the value of diversity and inclusion.
- Tech Inclusion Journey
Tech Inclusion Journey
The Tech Inclusion Journey (TIJ) is a unique, scalable software platform that empowers change leaders to implement systemic, sustainable approaches to the creation of inclusive cultures.
- Aspirations in Computing
- News & Events
- News & Events
- NCWIT Summit
NCWIT Summit
The NCWIT Summit: where conversations lead to change is the world’s largest annual convening of change leaders focused on significantly improving diversity and equity in computing.
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News
Check out NCWIT’s latest press releases, press mentions, newsletters, blogs, and articles we are talking about!
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Events
NCWIT offers various in-person and virtual events throughout the year and is also present at many other industry events. Find out about past and upcoming items here.
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