Meeting of the Minds

The Meeting of the Minds is a web-based discussion series, hosted by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance. By bringing together experienced practitioners and evidence based research, the series takes on today’s largest broadening participation challenges in computer science. These problems are commonplace but require unique solutions. Join in to learn and discuss innovative solutions alongside colleagues.

This web-based series is free and open to the public – geared toward postsecondary computer science faculty, staff, researchers, graduate students, and those in student-facing roles.

Previous Webinars

Meeting of the Minds: Structuring and Building Inclusive Climates for Students of Color

Originally aired on November 14, 2024

This presentation from Erika Dawson Head, Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusive Community Development at the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst — an NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance member institution — is designed to help participants identify strategies to cultivate inclusive learning environments by structuring and building inclusive climates in undergraduate computing programs and supporting the retention, persistence, and timely graduation of students of color.

Meet the Presenter

In addition to her current founding leadership role, Erika was instrumental in establishing an Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Saint Joseph while serving as Diversity and Employee Engagement Coordinator for the University’s Department of Human Resources. She’s also the inaugural recipient of the UMass Amherst Chancellor’s Emerging Leader Award in recognition of her efforts leading programs and initiatives designed to support the success of students from marginalized identities. At the 2024 NCWIT Summit, she presented an interactive workshop on building inclusive environments.

“This workshop was designed and created from a place of radical love, a yearning for social justice, and a desire to broaden students’ of color participation in STEM. Participants will develop skills that will increase their knowledge and ability to develop inclusive programs. Come and join me in this beautiful journey as we become better together.”

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

Originally aired on April 3, 2024

This experienced group led a 60-minute web-based event, providing attendees with evidence-based research, applicable case studies, and honed techniques to increase learning outcomes for every student. the session covered the role 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 a discussion of the interplay between cultural responsiveness and AI education.

Meet the Moderator

Enrico Pontelli, Dean of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University

Panelists:

Irene Lee, Research Scientist at MIT
Tom Pearson, Interim Associate Dean of Workforce at Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Amy Eguchi, Associate Teaching Professor of Computer Science Education at UC San Diego
Melanie Moses, Professor of Computer Science and Biology at the University of New Mexico.

Meeting of the Minds with the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI)

Originally aired on March 6, 2024

This collaborative and interactive event featured an NCWIT partner and Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliance Accelerator member: the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI). Watch the recording to learn more about CAHSI’s impact on accelerating the progress of Hispanic people in computing as eers 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). 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)

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).
Dr. Enrico Pontelli is the Dean of Arts & Sciences and Regents Professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU).
Dr. Nayda G. Santiago is a professor at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez (UPRM).
Dr. Pat Morreale is the Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Kean University.

Inclusive Pedagogy Panel Discussion on Peer Instruction and Curriculum Development

Originally aired on April 12, 2023

We learned about and discussed innovative solutions alongside peers on two vital components of Inclusive Pedagogy: Peer Instruction and Curriculum Development. An engaging session was planned with a mix of short presentations and small group conversations guided by Dr. Leo Porter, Dr. Beth Simon, and Sophia Krause-Levy, a Ph.D. Candidate from the University of California San Diego, along with special guest Dr. Cynthia Taylor from Oberlin College. This dynamic group led our 90-minute, web-based event and provided attendees with evidence-based research, applicable case studies, and honed techniques to increase learning outcomes for every student.

Panelists:

Guest Speaker Dr. Cynthia Taylor is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Computer Science Department at Oberlin College.
Sophia Krause-Levy is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Computer Science & Engineering Department at UC San Diego.
Dr. Leo Porter is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at UC San Diego.
Dr. Beth Simon is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Education Studies at UC San Diego.

Interrupting Bias and Creating Inclusive Culture

Originally recorded on February 16, 2023

This Meeting of the Minds session explores how implicit biases play out in academic contexts and what specific actions leaders, faculty, and staff can take to create more inclusive cultures within their computing and information technology programs.

Panelists:

Moderated by Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder, Senior Research Scientist with NCWIT
Dr. Dee Weikle, Associate Professor at James Madison University;
Dr. Sherif Elfayoumy, Director and Professor at University of North Florida; and
Joanne Esch, Senior Research Associate at NCWIT for a conversation about building inclusive cultures where all faculty, staff, and students can thrive. Please bring your questions, concerns, and experiences, as the second half of the program provided an opportunity for group discussion.

Broadening Participation Through Partnerships Between Two-Year and Four-Year Programs

Originally recorded on April 21, 2022

Establishing partnerships between two-year and four-year institutions is an art form. In this installment of the Meeting of the Minds series, hosted by the NCWIT Academic Alliance, our expert panel shares best practices to implement as well as key pitfalls to avoid when aligning curriculum to support student success. We discuss how these partnerships form and how they can help remove existing barriers through the shared lens of empowering women-identifying and underrepresented students in computing.

Panelists:

Matthew Henry, Assistant Professor and Program Director of IT-Service and Support, Wake Technical Community College, NC
Melanie Williamson, Professor and Academic Dean, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, KY
Thu D. Nguyen, Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Professor of Computer Science, Rutgers, NJ

Faculty Hiring: Ensuring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Job Description to the Offer

Originally recorded on February 2, 2022

Hiring faculty in computing and IT is challenging, especially when trying to reach beyond the majority groups. Our panel shared some of their expertise, insights, and helpful resources before heading into group breakout discussion.

Panelists:

Robyn Sandekian, Ph.D., Director of Faculty Advancement, University of Colorado Boulder
Grayson Hunt, Ph.D., Director of Equity Outreach and Resources, University of Texas Austin
Cheryl Swanier, Ph.D., Senior Teaching Faculty, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Brianna Blaser, Ph.D., Associate Director of AccessComputing, University of Washington

How To Best Prepare Teaching Assistants (TA) To Foster Inclusivity in Computer Science Classrooms

Originally recorded on October 21, 2021

This is the first installment of The Meeting of the Minds, a web-based discussion series hosted by the NCWIT Higher Ed Alliance.

Panelists:

Dr. Colleen Lewis, Associate Professor of Computer Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Scott Heggen, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Berea College
Concepta Njolima, a recent Teaching-Assistant at Berea College while pursuing a BA in Computer and Information Systems & Support Services, and Microsoft Explore Intern.