Meeting of the Minds: The Role of AI in Broadening Participation in Computing

Hosted by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance

On Wednesday, April 3rd at 2:30 pm ET | 1:30 pm CT | 12:30 pm MT | 11:30 am PT, join a Meeting of the Minds discussing the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in broadening participation in computing. Register and attend to learn more about the impact of early exposure to AI among historically underrepresented groups in computing, the role of AI education in 2-year programs, the challenges of AI within the higher education landscape, and conclude with an interactive discussion of the interplay between cultural responsiveness and AI education. The event will be moderated by Enrico Pontelli, Dean of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU), and he will be joined by panelists from other NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institutions:

Meet the Moderator

Enrico Pontelli, Ph.D.
Dean of Arts and Sciences, Regents Professor Leadership at New Mexico State University (NMSU)

Dr. Enrico Pontelli is currently a Regents Professor of Computer Science and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at NMSU, which is where he received his Ph.D. in 1997 and continued his academic career, moving through the ranks. He is an active researcher with over 300 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of knowledge representation and reasoning; logic and constraint programming; high performance computing; bioinformatics; and assistive technologies. He has been involved in a broad range of efforts focused on broadening participation in computing – including the creation of the NMSU Young Women in Computing program — which has been in place since 2006 and has served thousands of students in southern New Mexico — and serving on the leadership team of the Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CAHSI) where he is the lead of the CAHSI Southwest region. In addition, Dr. Pontelli and his NMSU colleagues have been ongoing and active participants and contributors to NCWIT’s broadening participation in undergraduate computing programs. He is the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Career award and he is the founding director of the NMSU Center of Research Excellence in Smartgrid Technologies.

Meet the Panelists

Irene Lee, M.Ed.
Research Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 

Irene Lee is a Research Scientist at MIT and a Distinguished Scholar at the Education Development Center. She earned a B.A. in Pure Mathematics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Education, specializing in Technology Education from Harvard University. She is a leader in AI Literacy education with experience in research and development of AI Literacy curricula, assessment tools, and teacher professional development programs. She also serves as PI/co-PI on three NSF projects investigating AI Literacy education for middle and high school students and their teachers. Lee has contributed 11 publications of AI Literacy education between 2020-present and has played a pivotal role in the field through sharing curricula, PD designs, and a validated AI Concept Inventory assessment instrument. Lee is a regular speaker on the topic of AI literacy, computer science education in the age of AI, and Ethics in AI education at conferences and on expert panels. She sits on the advisory boards of over a dozen NSF funded projects, education foundations, and non-profit organizations.

Tom Pearson, M.S.
Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Maricopa Community Colleges (CGCC)

Tom Pearson is the Interim Associate Dean of Workforce Programs at CGCC. He earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Hawaii Pacific University and a M.S. in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. At CGCC, he served as the division chair and a faculty member of computer information systems. Mr. Pearson was part of the core team that collaborated with Intel to create the Artificial Intelligence program at CGCC; the first AI associate’s degree in the nation. He also was a presenter at the AI Teaching and Learning Summit at CGCC in October 2023. Prior to joining academia in 2012, Mr. Pearson worked in the Information Technology field for 12 years in desktop support, server administration, and network engineering. He also served in the US Air Force for 22 years, where he worked in electronics on ground-based air defense radars.

Melanie Moses, Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science at the University of New Mexico (UNM)

Dr. Melanie E. Moses is a Professor of Computer Science and Biology at UNM and an External Faculty Member at the Santa Fe Institute (SFI). She earned a B.S. from Stanford University in Symbolic Systems and a Ph.D. in Biology from UNM. Her interdisciplinary research crosses the boundaries of Computer Science and Biology by modeling search processes in complex adaptive systems such as ant colonies and immune systems, and most recently, the immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19. She also uses bio-inspired designs of swarms of robots which autonomously cooperate with each other and adapt to monitor environmental conditions, currently focusing on monitoring gas emissions from volcanoes. She has mentored dozens of graduate and undergraduate students and led projects, including NM CSforAll, the NASA Swarmathon, and the Google ExploreCSR Swarmathon:TNG to engage thousands of women and members of underrepresented groups in computer science from high school through graduate school. In addition, she co-founded the UNM-SFI Working Group on Algorithmic Justice and is on the leadership team of the UNM ADVANCE program to support the success of women faculty in STEM. Dr. Moses is currently a board member of the Computing Research Association’s Committee on Widening Participation in Computing (CRA-WP), a NSF BPC Alliance which partners closely with NCWIT and other BPC Alliances. In addition, she serves on the board of Reboot Catalyst to increase participation of Black, Latina, and Native American women in computer science. At UNM, Dr. Moses is a Special Advisor to the Dean of Engineering for Educational Initiatives and to the Vice President for Research for Artificial Intelligence.

Amy Eguchi, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science Education at University of California San Diego

Dr. Amy Eguchi is an Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science Education at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). She holds her Ed.M. in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Cambridge. She possesses a wealth of experience as a teacher, educator, and leader in technologically enhanced education to promote students’ STREAM (R=robotics) +CS learning, with a particular focus on educational robotics, CS education, and AI in K-12 settings. Her professional background and experience focus on providing better STREAM+CS learning opportunities for all students, including underprivileged and gender-marginalized students. She served as the RoboCup Federation (RCF) vice president representing RoboCupJunior for six years and was a member of the RCF Board of Trustees for 13 years focusing on providing inclusive opportunities for diverse populations of students around the world. Her broadening participation work involves K-12 students, their teachers and parents, and their communities, as well as undergraduate students to broaden participation in the field of CS and AI. She has also served on the advisory board for AI for K-12 initiatives, and is a member of the AI for CA initiative promoting AI literacy in California. Her work in educational robotics through competitions and projects became the foundation of her work in AI for education, with which she has collaborations with UCSD faculty members across departments as well as Google, UNESCO, MathWorks, SONY, United Robotics Group, and more. Dr. Eguchi is one of a number of UCSD faculty who have facilitated important broadening participation in computing conversations as part of NCWIT’s systemic change programs for alliance members. 

About the Meeting of the Minds series

This web-based discussion series is free and open to the public – geared toward post-secondary computing faculty, staff, researchers, graduate students, and those in student-facing roles. By bringing together experienced practitioners and evidence based research, these events take on today’s largest challenges in broadening participation in computing. These problems are commonplace but require unique solutions. Join in to learn and share innovative solutions alongside colleagues.

About the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance

The NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance is a nationwide coalition of post-secondary institutions that are dedicated to increasing equity and inclusion in computing by broadening participation of underrepresented and marginalized groups. To join the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance, simply complete this Higher Ed Alliance Membership Form to be sent further details regarding membership. Please direct any questions to [email protected].


CS+ Environmental Action

Join the fifth webinar in an inspiring new series with NCWIT!

On Thursday, April 4th, explore the ways computing and technology cultivate innovative solutions to environmental issues with two amazing panelists from the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community: Grace Magny-Fokam and Neha Shukla. Both featured speakers will share how they work alongside well-known organizations to raise awareness and address environmental concerns in arenas ranging from agriculture to water conservation and using ethical, child-safe artificial intelligence (AI) for climate advocacy. Participants will learn how these two technologists leverage computing to amplify innovations in frontline communities. Join the live webinar to ask questions during the Q&A!

This free event will last one hour, and it is open to all. Whether you’re a current student who is curious about future possibilities, a recent grad seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, insight, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields. Register online to join.

Meet the panelists

Grace Magny-Fokam is an 18-year-old AI researcher, climate advocate, social innovator, and author who is passionate about mobilizing young people to solve global challenges through social innovation. As the founder of Folia Technologies and inventor of a novel device called FoliaNet, Grace uses her skills and influence as both a tech creator and scientific communicator to raise awareness about enacting positive change in climate advocacy by using AI.

Throughout her journey as a researcher, she has collaborated with organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the National Security Agency. She has received over $70,000 in research funding and has received numerous awards for her work from tech enterprises like Google and Microsoft.

Neha Shukla is 18 years old and is a New York Times-featured inventor, social entrepreneur, activist, bestselling author, and AI ethicist at the World Economic Forum. She works to create solutions for communities using tech, tackling issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and homelessness with support from Microsoft, NASA, and NVIDIA. Her debut book, “Innovation for Everyone,” encourages youth to find their voice and take action within their communities.

She serves as the Chair and US Representative at the World Economic Forum’s Generation AI Youth Council, advocating for ethical and child-safe AI in collaboration with corporations and policymakers. Continuing with her activism, Neha spoke at the Capitol alongside Senators and Representatives to push for $70 million in funding to improve educational access for over 700,000 at-risk youth. Her innovations and activism are recognized in the New York Times, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, and commended by President Biden and the Royal Family. She was also selected by the White House National Space Council to advocate for girls in technology nationally, and serves as the Youth Advisor to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future

Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their experiences with combining computer science and other interests (CS+), such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and learn how computing is embedded in what they do. To see recordings of past CS+ presentations on topics including social good, sports, dance, and medical devices, visit the NCWIT Media Hub at ncwit.org/media.


Meeting of the Minds

Hosted by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance

On Wednesday, March 6th at 3 pm ET | 2 pm CT | 1 pm MT | 12 pm PT, join the first Meeting of the Minds webinar of the new year. This collaborative and interactive event will feature an NCWIT partner and Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliance Accelerator member: the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI). Register to learn more about CAHSI’s impact on accelerating the progress of Hispanic people in computing! Join peers to discuss how to be Hispanic-serving as it relates to both staff and leadership, capacity building in AI research and education, and BPC partnerships with organizations like CAHSI.

Meet the Moderator

CAHSI Director Dr. Ann Quiroz Gates will moderate this event, which will showcase several facets of CAHSI’s work and highlight how NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance members can benefit from partnering with multiple BPC Alliances. She is currently serving on the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering with the National Science Foundation (NSF), a longtime NCWIT Strategic Partner. Gates is also Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Senior Advisor to the Provost on Strategic STEM initiatives at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution. In 2015, UTEP was recognized, under Dr. Gates’s leadership, as one of NCWIT’s Extension Services Transformation Awards Honorable Mention recipients as a result of their excellence in recruiting and retaining women in computing education. To learn more, read her UTEP bio.

Meet the Panelists

Dr. Jessica Rivera is an Adjunct Faculty member who specializes in Educational Leadership and Foundations Computer Science and Postdoctoral Fellow with the Pathways-IES program at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), another NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution and a past participant in NCWIT’s Extension Services one-on-one broadening participation in computing consulting program. Rivera also co-founded the Latina Postdoc Collective, an organization dedicated to propelling Latina postdocs into faculty positions and advancing diverse voices in academia. To learn more, read her UTSA bio.

Dr. Enrico Pontelli is the Dean of Arts & Sciences and Regents Professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution. Under his leadership, NMSU has been an avid participant in NCWIT’s higher education systemic change programs, including Extension Services’ one-on-one consulting program and the current Higher Ed Learning Circles. He also serves on the leadership team with CAHSI as Director of the Young Women in Computing Program, and has been a peer-referee for various conferences and journals on logic programming and parallel computing. To learn more, read his NMSU bio.

Dr. Nayda G. Santiago is a professor at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez (UPRM), where she teaches capstone courses in Computer Engineering and Computer Architecture and is also an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member rep. A member of CAHSI since 2006, she works with undergraduate researchers using the Affinity Research Group (ARG) Model. Dr. Santiago is a lifetime member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and is also also a member of the Hispanic Engineers National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM),  and the Latinas in Computing (LiC) organization. Dr. Santiago was also awarded the 2017 CRA-E Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentoring Award, 2008 HENAAC Educator Award, and 2008 UPRM Distinguished Alumni award. To learn more, see her UPRM bio.

Dr. Pat Morreale is the Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Kean University, an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution, and holds a leadership position on the CAHSI Executive Board. In 2023, she was awarded the Joanne McGrath Cohoon Undergraduate Service Award, which is conferred annually by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance. She is a past co-chair of the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance, and has also led committees on faculty excellence in undergraduate research mentoring with NCWIT, the Computing Research Association (CRA), and the Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR). To learn more, read the NCWIT blog about her award recognition and the details in her listing in the faculty directory.

About the Meeting of the Minds series

This web-based discussion series is free and open to the public – geared toward post-secondary computing faculty, staff, researchers, graduate students, and those in student-facing roles. By bringing together experienced practitioners and evidence based research, these events take on today’s largest challenges in broadening participation in computing. These problems are commonplace but require unique solutions. Join in to learn and share innovative solutions alongside colleagues.

About the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance

The NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance is a nationwide coalition of post-secondary institutions that are dedicated to increasing equity and inclusion in computing by broadening participation of underrepresented and marginalized groups. To join the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance, simply complete this Higher Ed Alliance Membership Form to be sent further details regarding membership. Please direct any questions to [email protected].


CS+ Social Good

Join the fourth webinar in an inspiring new series with NCWIT!

Discover the power of using computing to generate and elevate social impact! Our panel of speakers shared how they are using technology to drive positive change and make meaningful impacts in data privacy and genealogical mapping. To explore rewarding career paths and the potential to make a difference in the world through the uplifting fusion of computer science and social responsibility, watch the video.


Meet our first panelist: Jessica Yauney

Jessica Yauney works at FamilySearch as a software development engineer, where she builds tech that helps millions of people find their ancestors. Before that, she taught high school computer science in Los Angeles and was awarded the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Educator Award. As a Troy High School student, she received an NCWIT AiC High School Award. She then graduated from the University of California Berkeley with a Bachelors in Computer Science, Applied Math, and Math & Science Education. She also earned a Masters in Technology at Brigham Young University.






Meet our second panelist: Pradnya Desai

Pradnya Desai graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) with a B.S. in Computer Science in 2022, and now works as a software engineer at Microsoft. As a research assistant in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Social Good Laboratory at NJIT, she published the paper “Continual Learning with Differential Privacy,” describing the first formal connection between differential privacy and continual learning. She presented the paper in the International Conference on Neural Information Processing in 2021, won the silver medal in NJIT’s Dana Knox Research Showcase, and was an NCWIT AiC Collegiate Award finalist.

Pradnya also built AD-Connect, which aims to teach social skills to children with ADHD using virtual reality. This project received funding from the National Science Foundation and won the Audience Choice Award in TiE University’s pitch competition. Pradnya has worked as a teaching assistant, mentors high school and non-traditional college students through various organizations, and teaches blind and visually-impaired high school students programming in Python. She is currently building an initiative to help high school students in rural Washington go to college.

Meet our Moderator: Brittney Anderson-Martin

Brittney Anderson-Martin is a facilitator, diversity and inclusion enthusiast, and consultant Project Manager for the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance and Regional Initiatives teams. She supports strategic growth and development, manages day-to-day operations, and has worked at the intersection of non-profits and higher ed since 2012 with orgs such as Public Allies and America Reads.

She is a graduate of Arizona State University, earning a Bachelor’s in Global Health and Master’s degrees in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (MNLM) as well as Post-Secondary & Higher Education (M.Ed.).

Outside of her work, Brittney serves as the Secretary of the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals, a membership-based extension of the Greater Phoenix Urban League. Beyond service and work, Brittney spends her time traveling with her wife, Adonna, and listening to the Harry Potter audio books on a loop.

About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future

Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their experiences with combining computer science and other interests (CS+), such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and learn how computing is embedded in what they do.

Whether you’re a current student who is curious about future possibilities, a recent graduate who is seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional who is looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, insight, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields.


NCWIT at Women in IT Virtual Conference

Join NCWIT at the Women in IT Virtual Conference, hosted by Walton College Executive Education and the Walton College Department of Information Systems at the University of Arkansas. This year’s theme is: “Hack the Journey – Taking IT to the Edge.” Visit the conference website for more details, and for updates, follow the #NCWITonline hashtag and NCWIT on Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter.

Attend a session with NCWIT

How AiC is Helping Women in IT Find Their Community and Why it Matters
10:55 – 11:40 am on December 6

All conference participants are invited to join NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Regional Affiliate Manager Susie Park-Kelly and previous awardee Yasaman (Yasi) Mostafavi as they present on how the AiC Community positively impacts students and early-career professionals. The AiC Community currently includes more than 26,000 members nationwide, and helps members hack their tech journeys by providing support and encouraging gender marginalized people to pursue computing while promoting persistence through networking, events, and opportunities. The AiC Community is open to college students and TECHNOLOchicas, and also recently opened to women, genderqueer, and non-binary high school students! Learn more and sign up today at aspirations.org.


CS+ Sports


Watch the third webinar in a new online series with NCWIT on demand!

Our live, interactive event began at 3 pm PT | 4 pm MT | 5 pm CT | 6 pm ET on December 5th, 2023, and dove into the remarkable stories of women working at the intersection of sports and technology. Special guest Marilou McFarlane, CEO and founder of Women in Sports Technology (WiST), shared insights of leading industry experts shaping the future of the world of sports. Watch the recoding to gain valuable knowledge and hear the experiences, challenges, and successes of women navigating the evolving landscape of sports technology.

Meet our special guest: Marilou McFarlane

With 15+ years in the sports tech industry, Marilou McFarlane is a visionary startup leader and social entrepreneur, specializing in building expansive growth, building high performance teams and driving impact. She has led the work that is changing the sports tech industry by working with iconic brands and businesses and startups alike. With the experience of leading numerous venture-backed startups to success, she is a passionate advocate, advisor and mentor to sports tech leaders, founders and women eager to enter the industry.

Marilou is the CEO + founder of Women in Sports Tech (WiST), a non-profit organization offering proven strategies and programs for businesses in the $42B sports tech industry to diversify talent pipelines and create more inclusive cultures. WiST provides tangible value for employers and women, from the classroom to the board room. To date, WiST has provided over 100 summer internship experiences to college, grad and PhD students through their flagship WiST Fellowship program, and built an active community of over 100,000 executives and students in the exploding sports tech industry. WiST works with more than 30 corporate partners, including Nike, GameChanger, the NBA, IBM Sports, Stats Perform, Comcast NBCU, Hoka, Catapult and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

A former University of North Carolina Division 1 cross-country athlete and a 3:06 marathon runner, she is the proud mother of two daughters who were UNC soccer team captains and played professionally in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and in Europe. She lives with her husband and dog, Pearl, in Mill Valley, California.

Meet the panelists:

Kalia Hogg is a former collegiate, professional, and Australian youth soccer player who is now pursuing a career in AI engineering. A recipient of the 2022 Fulbright Futures Scholarship, she is currently undertaking her Master of Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence at Duke University. This summer, she was awarded a Women in Sports Tech fellowship and joined the team at IBM Sports & Entertainment to develop the first ever AI Commentary model for tennis, launched for Wimbledon 2023. Kahlia is particularly passionate about the nexus of Sports Tech and AI-driven social impact, and aspires to engineer AI solutions that drive growth and innovation in women’s sports and sustainable sports tech.

Olivia Proctor grew up in St. Louis, Mo., before attending Harvard College (‘23), where she graduated cum laude with honors in Social Studies. Her senior honors thesis was, “Knocking on Death’s Door: Social Impacts of Fatal No-Knock Warrants on Targeted Families in St. Louis,” in which she shared the stories of two families that were impacted by fatal no-knock raids. She also wrote for the Undergraduate Law Review and was a four-year member of the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team. Being a lifelong athlete, working in the sports industry was an extremely exciting avenue for her first job. After participating in the Women in Sports Tech Fellowship and working with Next League her junior year summer, Olivia accepted a full-time position with the company upon graduation. Olivia is currently working from New York City as a Strategy Analyst with Next League and assists clients on developing business strategies for their digital properties.

Meet our Moderator: Terina-Jasmine (TJ) Alladin

Terina-Jasmine (TJ) Alladin has been a Consultant with NCWIT for over 7 years. In 2022, she wanted to break into the sports industry and obtained an MBA in Sports Management from Universidad Europea in Madrid. There, she had the opportunity to work with Real Madrid FC on digital transformation and fan engagement projects. From there, TJ spent one year working with the Business Development and Marketing Partnerships Team at NBA Africa’s Basketball Africa League in Senegal, where she managed partner accounts and supported new business. TJ leverages her skills in data science and research to support sports businesses.

About Women in Sports Tech (WiST)


WiST is a nonprofit organization that empowers transformative growth opportunities for women and employers, from the classroom to the boardroom at the intersection of sports, technology and innovation. Learn more and get involved online: womeninsportstech.org/get-involved


About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future

Join us for an inspiring web series that explores the exciting fusion of computer science and other areas of interest (CS+). Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their work in areas such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and how computer science is embedded in what they do.

Whether you’re a current student curious about future possibilities, a recent graduate seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, guidance, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields.



CS+ Dance


Watch the second webinar in a new online series with NCWIT!

Our live, interactive event began at 3 pm PT | 4 pm MT | 5 pm CT | 6 pm ET on November 13th, 2023, and explored the integration of computer science and dance performance, with a focus on the realm of digital costuming and wearables. Watch the recording to discover how technology is revolutionizing the way performers express themselves, as experts discuss the creative possibilities that coding and electronics can offer.

Meet the panel:

  • Yamilée Toussaint, STEM From Dance – Watch video
  • Jean François Mahoro, Code.Crew
  • Kiyah Stokes, Code.Crew

Yamilee Toussaint

Yamilée Toussaint is the Founder & CEO of STEM From Dance, which empowers girls with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM through the transformative power of dance. Combining her background in engineering, education, and a lifelong passion for dance, she started the program in 2012 to inspire girls of color to pursue STEM careers. Yamilée holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and a M.S. in Teaching from Pace University. She has earned her numerous accolades, including Teach For America’s Social Innovation Award and AnitaB.org’s Educational Innovation Award.

Jean François Mahoro

Jean François Mahoro is the Director of K-12 at CodeCrew, a nonprofit organization committed to bridging the digital divide and fostering diversity in tech industries. The mission at CodeCrew is to mentor underrepresented youth to be tech innovators and leaders through practical, hands-on computer science education programs locally throughout Memphis, Tennessee, and nationally. Jean François leverages his experience as a Software Engineer to encourage students to pursue a path in Technology. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis. It’s the belief that by empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, can drive innovation and create a more inclusive tech ecosystem.

Kiyah Stokes

Kiyah Stokes is a K-12 Instructor at CodeCrew, where she helps young students appreciate the value in computer science. Technology has always been a passion of Kiyah’s since being introduced to it at an early age. Kiyah grew up in a small city of Jackson, Tennessee, where there weren’t a lot of programs like CodeCrew. She started getting serious about her coding journey during her sophomore year of high school and continued her studies in college. Kiyah graduated from the University of Memphis where she studied Computer Science and Web Design. After graduation, she began a career at CodeCrew where she uses her programming and engineering skills to provide education to future STEM students.

Meet the Moderator: Terina-Jasmine Alladin

Terina-Jasmine (TJ) Alladin has been a consultant with NCWITIT for 7 years. She holds an MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban, the leading center for research in dance science globally. In addition to a 7-year career as a contemporary dancer, she has worked in the tech sector for over a decade. Read her full bio to learn more.

About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future

Join us for an inspiring web series that explores the exciting fusion of computer science and other areas of interest (CS+). Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their work in areas such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and how computer science is embedded in what they do.

Whether you’re a current student curious about future possibilities, a recent graduate seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, guidance, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields.



CS+ Medical Devices


Watch the debut webinar in a new online series with NCWIT!

The first CS+ webinar originally aired at 3 pm PT on October 24th, 2023, and dove into the realm of medical devices – like wearable diabetes management tools – to showcase how you can be part of the technological transformation in healthcare. Our moderator, NCWIT Project Manager Brittney Anderson-Martin was joined by three panelists who delved into ways computer science is driving advancements in medical technology to enhance health management, especially for people navigating living with a medical condition.

Meet the panel:

  • Adonna Anderson
  • Anna Urias
  • Christi Fernandes

Adonna Anderson

Adonna Anderson is an Electrical Engineering Manager for Medtronic’s Diabetes Research and Development Sustaining department. Her team is responsible for addressing emergent issues impacting Medtronics diabetes devices currently in the field. She manages a team that must quickly respond to issues, find root cause and implement changes. Adonna has 2 patents prior to her work at Medtronic, Adonna worked as an electrical engineer across multiple industries, including at Northrop Grumman and Eaton Corporation. 

Adonna studied at California Polytechnic University – San Luis Obispo, receiving both a BS in Electrical Engineering and a MS in Engineering Management. In her free time she loves traveling with her wife and daughter.

Anna Urais

Anna Urais is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Nevada-Reno, Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and is currently pursuing a dual major in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.

Christi Fernandes

Christi Fernandes is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her passion for science and technology ignited her journey in the field of biomedical engineering, and she is now embarking on her first semester in this program. Christi’s academic journey began in India, where she completed her undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering and developed a profound interest in the field, particularly in the domain of medical imaging engineering. She aspires to contribute to the development of cost-effective medical imaging systems, which have the potential to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability.

Meet the Moderator: Brittney Anderson-Martin

Brittney Martin is a project manager, facilitator, and diversity and inclusion enthusiast. As a consultant Project Manager for the NCWIT Academic Alliance and Regional Initiatives teams, Brittney supports their strategic growth and development while managing day to day operations. Brittney has worked at the intersection of nonprofit and higher education since 2012 with organizations such as Public Allies and America Reads. Read her full bio to learn more.

About the new CS+ webinar series
Computing + Passion = Careers of the Future

Join us for an inspiring web series that explores the exciting fusion of computer science and other areas of interest (CS+). Hear students, educators, researchers, and professionals talk about their work in areas such as art, music, medicine, and other fields and how computer science is embedded in what they do.

Whether you’re a current student curious about future possibilities, a recent graduate seeking career inspiration, or an aspiring professional looking for guidance, these webinars are designed to empower you with knowledge, guidance, and a sense of belonging in these innovative fields.



NCWIT Collegiate 101: NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance + Aspirations in Computing

Join us for a walkthrough of the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Collegiate Award with members of the Aspirations in Computing Community and an NCWIT Higher Ed Award winner.

Elevating Excellence: NCWIT’s Collegiate Aspirations in Computing Community

August 29th, 2023: 3 pm PT / 4 pm MT / 5 pm CT / 6 pm ET

About this event:

Are you a woman, genderqueer, or non-binary college student who wants to be recognized for your technical skills and contributions and join a nationwide community of peers? Or, do you work with collegiate students who you want to encourage and connect with a supportive community? Attend a free, online webinar hosted by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance and Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community, and meet the following speakers:

  1. Dr. Alan Jamieson, recipient of the NCWIT Mentoring Award for Undergraduate Research
  2. Sarah Olson, Aspirations in Computing Campus Rep
  3. Meghan Flynn, 2019 National Award winner, now at Bank of America
  4. Vonesha Shaik, NCWIT AspireIT Leader
  5. Valencia Coleman, Graduate member of Aspirations in Computing Community

In this webinar, the speakers will:

  • Share an overview of the AiC Community
  • Show how to join the Community from the Collegiate Entrypoint
  • Highlight Community opportunities for collegiate students
  • Discuss the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award
  • Share other ways you can engage with AiC

Hosts

The NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance is a coordinated network of faculty, staff, and administration at higher ed institutions across the nation who work to foreground inclusive processes in computer science environments. NCWIT conducts collaborative research, provides resources, and offers strategies for student success in order to understand and combat the effects of unconscious bias and stereotype threat, to examine recruitment and retention trends, to identify problem areas and solutions, measure progress, and much more. Student-facing higher ed faculty and staff are in key positions to help applicable undergraduate and graduate students connect to awards and an online community that could shift their persistence in the computing and technology field.

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) changes what’s possible for women, genderqueer and non-binary people in technology from K-12, into post-secondary, and through career by offering the kind of encouragement that combats isolation, enables long-term persistence, opens doors, and changes lives. AiC uses program elements that spark interest in computing; recognizes and celebrates students’ technical aspirations and abilities; and, provides an expansive, supportive network called the AiC Community.

Speakers

Dr. Alan Jamieson is a teaching professor and director of computing programs for Khoury College of Computer Sciences at the Roux Institute, Northeastern University. His research interests include broadening participation in computer science, K-12 computational thinking and data science education integration, and combinatorial graph theory. Jamieson has spent his career introducing computer science to students with varying backgrounds and experiences with technology. Dr. Jamieson was a recipient of the National Center for Women and Information Technology’s Mentoring Award for Undergraduate Research, and he has been recognized for his service as a volunteer reviewer for the Aspirations in Computing Awards.

Sarah Olson is a student pursuing both a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Computer Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She joined NCWIT after winning an Aspirations in Computing Massachusetts Affiliate Award Honorable Mention in 2021 and has continued her involvement in the community as a Campus Rep since Fall 2022. She is passionate about fixing inequities for children with learning differences in public school settings, and hopes to create tools to improve the accessibility of education in the future.

Meghan Flynn is a Software Engineer in the Technology Analyst Program at Bank of America (BoA) in Charlotte, NC. She was born and raised in New Jersey, where she recently graduated Cum Laude from the Albert Dorman Honors College at the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Computer Science. Meghan connected with the NCWIT community after being honored as an Aspirations in Computing (AiC) National Awardee in 2019.

Vonesha Shaik is a Computer Science major at The Georgia Institute of Technology. She has been actively involved with HexLabs, Girls Who Code, and Women in Computing at Georgia Tech to connect with fellow women in STEM regarding common aspirations and challenges. Esha has also been engaged in the NCWIT community for several years as an AspireIT Leader, Advisory Council Member, and panelist, taking a stand on narrowing the gender gap in technology through many initiatives. For the past four years, Esha has been interning at Bloomberg as a software engineer.

Valencia Coleman is an Associate Gameplay Engineer at Owlchemy Labs. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and is currently pursuing an MFA in Interactive Media and Game Design. She is an active advocate for diversity in the games industry and the alumni coordinator of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Foundation.


TECHNOLOchicas 5.0 Virtual Launch

NCWIT TECHNOLOchicas presents: TECHNOLOchicas 5.0!

TECHNOLOchicas 5.0
Meet the TECHNOLOchicas 5.0 Ambassadors, from left to right: Melissa Delgado-Martinez, Ali Guarneros Luna, Nery Lara Mancia, Melinda Vargas, Zaida Hernandez, Ruth Vela, Laura Robles, and Josephine Vazquez-Rivera.

Meet the TECHNOLOchicas Ambassadors featured in our latest campaign:

  • Melissa Delgado-Martinez; Engineering Program Manager, Microsoft
  • Melinda Vargas Ramos; Business and Systems Analyst, Triple-S Salud
  • Josephine Vazquez-Rivera; Associate Director of Technology, AT&T
  • Laura Robles; IT Analyst, Caterpillar Inc.
  • Nery Lara Mancia; Software Engineer, Qualcomm
  • Ruth Vela; Director of Global Technology Experience, Nextiva
  • Zaida Hernandez; Spacecraft Engineer, NASA Johnson Space Center
  • Ali Guarneros Luna; Senior Aerospace Engineer, NASA Ames Research Center

The official TECHNOLOchicas 5.0 Launch took place on October 27, 2022, and invited members of the public to join two events for a panel discussion with these accomplished Latina tech ambassadors from across the country and hear about their journeys, including:

  • what got them interested in STEM
  • the role family and educators’ support played in their journeys
  • their strategies for facing and overcoming challenges
  • what does life-work balance looks like for them
  • why they’re on a mission to inspire Latina girls and women to pursue careers in tech and computing

Recordings:

East Coast Virtual Launch: Watch video on YouTube

West Coast Virtual Launch: Watch video on YouTube

About TECHNOLOchicas 5.0

TECHNOLOchicas, co-produced by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and the Televisa Foundation, is a national initiative designed to raise awareness among young Latinas and their families about opportunities and careers in technology.

Launched in 2014, TECHNOLOchicas uses the powerful stories of Latina’s from diverse backgrounds working in computing and technology industries, to inspire the next generation to be part of the future of technology.

TECHNOLOchicas stories highlight the lives of TECHNOLOchicas Ambassadors and present them as “relatable” role models through several communication channels, including broadcast television, social media, and online videos. TECHNOLOchicas Ambassadors around the country hold events, virtually and in person, to expose girls and young women to coding and other aspects of computing careers.

For upcoming events, follow us on social media (@technolochicas), including this month’s celebration of our most recent campaign, TECHNOLOchicas 5.0, which includes new profiles of real-life Latina role models.

WHY TECHNOLOchicas?

Latinas occupied only 2% of jobs in the computing workforce in 2021 (Resource: By the Numbers). Yet, both the number of technology positions and the Hispanic population are growing. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts 3.5 million computing-related job openings by 2026. The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics reports that by 2060, nearly one in three women will be Hispanic. Latinas represent a vastly untapped computing talent pool that is vital to increasing the bottom line of the U.S. economy and creating diversity in the computing workforce, leading to advanced technical innovation. Their participation in computing disciplines also improves the economic outlook of the Hispanic community.

NCWIT’s intersectional approach to diversifying the computing ecosystem serves as an exemplar of the role that nonprofits, educational systems, and corporations play in addressing the underrepresentation of Latinas in computing. The success of NCWIT’s TECHNOLOchicas initiative has sparked an expansion of NCWIT’s work to influence the participation of women and girls of color from other under-represented backgrounds (including Black and Native American) in computing. NCWIT’s Color of our Future initiative anchors NCWIT programs, initiatives, and research-based resources focused on broadening the meaningful participation of underrepresented women and girls of color to drive game-changing and sustainable inclusion of Latina women in computing.

TECHNOLOchicas is funded by Televisa Foundation, Qualcomm, Microsoft, AT&T, and Apple, with additional support from the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI.)