The CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing (also known as “the Tapia conference”) is the premier venue to acknowledge, promote, and celebrate diversity in computing. The goal of the Tapia Conferences is to bring together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to celebrate the diversity that exists in computing; connect with others to create communities that extend beyond the conference; make contact with leaders in industry and academia; and be inspired by great presentations and conversations. The 2021 Tapia conference will be held online.
Follow @NCWIT, @cmdit, and #Tapia2021 on Twitter for updates, highlights, and more.
Where can you find NCWIT?
Panels
Leveraging Relationships for Success in Graduate School: Identifying Barriers and Strategies to Navigate Faculty, Staff, and Peer Relationships in Computing Graduate Programs // Wednesday, September 15, 2021, from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. CT // Online
This panel brings together doctoral student, faculty, staff, and researcher perspectives from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Washington Seattle, and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Extension Services for Graduate Programs (ES-Grad) to address a critical element of success in graduate school: managing relationships. Panelists will discuss common barriers and pitfalls in relationships with faculty, staff, and students in computing departments, as well as actionable strategies for initiating and maintaining a strong network that supports student success and degree completion. The focus will be on doctoral student relationships, though faculty advisors, prospective students, and staff will also benefit from learning about how they can approach relationships with students.
NCWIT Research Scientist Christopher Hovey will speak on this panel.
Increasing Diversity in Computing: Sharing of Good Practices // Friday, September 17, 2021, from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. CT // Online
This panel provides an opportunity for representatives from the NSF-funded Broadening Participation in Computing Alliances and other organizations to share their good practices about increasing diversity in computing. The panel will begin with an introduction to the following NSF BPC Alliances and other organizations: AccessComputing, CAHSI, CMD-IT, CRA-W, ECEP, iAAMCS, NCWIT, and STARS. The panelists will share information about their organization and how their programs have broadened participation in computing. Significant time for discussion will be provided.
NCWIT Director of Evaluation and Senior Research Scientist Wendy DuBow will speak on this panel.
Birds of a Feather
Hispanics in Computing Community // Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. CT // Online
The Hispanics in Computing community was founded a few months before the Tapia 2009 Conference. Since then, the group has been meeting at this annual conference. The impact of this gathering in our community has been tremendous. Several members of the community that attended our BoF as young graduate students are now in tenure track positions or employed in research organizations. As the undergraduate population attending Tapia grows, it is important that we serve as mentors for the new students starting their careers in computing. The goal for this year’s gathering is to explore how to do virtual mentoring to help increase ties within the community.
TECHNOLOchicas Director Yvonne De La Pena will present at this session.
Booth
Visit the NCWIT booth at the Tapia Career Fair to meet members of the NCWIT team and learn about resources and opportunities for students, educators, and those in the workforce. Booth hours are as follows (all times listed in Central Daylight Time):
- Wednesday, September 15 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, September 16 from 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 17 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about Tapia 2021, visit the conference webpage.
