The National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) will expand its Regional Initiatives to include Pittsburgh, PA starting April 2022. With generous support from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, NCWIT will work with change leaders in education and industry in Pittsburgh to share opportunities and build infrastructure to increase the meaningful participation of a diverse range of women and girls in computing.
Computing is one of the most powerful and influential fields shaping society today. Yet women—especially at the intersections of race/ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and other historically marginalized identities—are underrepresented, impeding their participation as innovators and leaders shaping the future.
NCWIT Regional Initiatives bundle research-backed programs and practices to increase the local participation of women and girls in tech fields and careers. NCWIT partners with local community stakeholders to build awareness, inspire participation, and connect women to like-minded peers, role models, and opportunities.
“When looking to expand our Regional Initiatives, Pittsburgh was a logical choice given the widespread community support and solid base of computing programs NCWIT already provides in the area,” said NCWIT President and CTO Terry Hogan. “We look forward to working with the Henry L. Hillman Foundation to expand computing pathways and opportunities in Pittsburgh to make a lasting impact on Pittsburgh’s computing ecosystem.”
– Terry Hogan, NCWIT President and CTO
NCWIT Regional Initiatives are fully customizable, drawing on a range of programming and resources. Some common components include providing inspiration and opportunities for girls and women in high school, college, and the workforce through the Aspirations in Computing program, and equipping educators, counselors, and administrators with knowledge, resources and actionable steps to increase recruitment and retention in the field through Counselors for Computing and Academic Learning Circles. This project also helps build inclusive cultures in the workforce through “Innovation, Culture, and You” workshops.
“Pittsburgh’s inclusion in the National Center for Women and Information Technology’s Regional Initiatives is a milestone for a city that has often been at the forefront of computing,” said Lisa Johns, Vice President, Finance for the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. “NCWIT’s resources and programs will help remove barriers for diverse women in computing, empowering them to grow Pittsburgh’s technical infrastructure and maintain the city’s leading edge in the field.”
– Lisa Johns, Vice President, Finance for the Henry L. Hillman Foundation
As part of the Regional Initiatives strategy, NCWIT will be working with the Pittsburgh Technology Council on supporting a regional coordinator to help lift up programmatic efforts as well as build relationships with those in the Pittsburgh technical ecosystem.
“We are excited to partner with NCWIT, integrating their Pittsburgh regional coordinator role into our Pittsburgh Technology Council and Fortyx80 staff, to facilitate the expansion of their initiatives to empower women and grow the diversity of Pittsburgh’s technical ecosystem. Together, we will work to guide, influence, and prepare the next generation of Pittsburgh’s innovative workforce with a special emphasis on serving women and girls in the technology sector. We know this partnership will lead a tremendous impact in our community and we are proud to have the opportunity to work alongside such a prestigious organization.”
– Audrey Russo, Pittsburgh Technology Council President and CEO
About NCWIT:
NCWIT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered in 2004 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that convenes, equips, and unites nearly 1,500 change leader organizations nationwide to increase the influential and meaningful participation of girls and women — at the intersections of race/ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and other historically marginalized identities — in the field of computing, particularly in terms of innovation and development. (https://ncwit.org/)
About Henry L. Hillman Foundation:
Henry L. Hillman Foundation works to ensure that Pittsburgh’s considerable strengths, assets, and advantages are fully leveraged to make it one of the world’s most innovative and forward-looking cities, with a reputation for solving big problems through civic leadership and collaboration. (henrylhillmanfoundation.org)
