There’s no better way to begin this year than by spotlighting incredible women of color forging their own paths while paving the way for the next generation in technology and computing.
Introducing the Inaugural #AiCstories Ambassadors!
This year’s ambassadors represent many facets of this nation: From the DMV, to Chicago, across the country to Brooklyn, and to the Navajo Nation Reservation in New Mexico. Their computing interests are vast: from cybersecurity, to AI, and even hardware and software. They’ve worked as Instructional Leads at Girls Who Code, an NCWIT K-12 Alliance member organization; held internships at SeatGeek as well as NCWIT Investment Partner, Amazon; and hold leadership positions on task forces that bring K-12 computer science education to their hometowns. It is this diversity that fosters innovation and societal advancements – diversity that the technology and computing industries desperately need.
“Despite my parents not being actively in jobs that interact with technology, my fascination with technology started during elementary school where my friends and I learned to change the color of the Google background on the school desktops using the inspect feature on the website.”
– Santoya Martinez, University of New Mexico junior
This January, meet the inaugural #AiCstories Ambassadors as they detail their technology and computing journeys, world takeover post-graduation career goals, and provide encouraging advice for the next generation. Prepare to be inspired!
Doreen Joseph
Doreen Joseph is a Ph.D. candidate in computer science at the University of California, Davis with an expected graduation year of 2025. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Cyber Security Engineering with a minor in math from George Mason University, and a Masters in Computer Science from UC Davis – the first Black woman to do so. She joined the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community in May 2022 through the collegiate entry point and will be an upcoming Ask Me Anything (AMA) host in the AiC community Slack channel on Monday Feb 5th at 5 pm EST / 4 pm CST / 3 pm MST / 2 pm PST. Doreen will detail her journey, specifically being the first Black woman to receive degrees at University of California, Davis. Follow our Instagram for upcoming registration information!
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.
Emily Mendoza
Emily Mendoza is a junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and expects to graduate in 2025. She joined the AiC Community in 2020 after receiving both the National Honorable Mention and Affiliate Winner designations for the Aspirations in Computing High School Award.
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.
Alexis Wang
Alexis Wang is a senior at the California Institute of Technology pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and expects to graduate this year. Alexis was a participant in BridgeUP STEM and interned at the American Museum of Natural History. Alexis joined the AiC Community in 2020 after receiving the 2020 Aspirations in Computing High School Award.
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.
Santoya Martinez
Santoya Martinez is a senior at University of New Mexico and expects to graduate in 2024. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. She recently presented her work from the New Mexico Computer Science Task Force—aimed at integrating computer science education into K-12 schools—at the 2022 Tapia Conference. She joined the AiC Community in 2019, after receiving the Aspirations in Computing High School Award.
Watch her story via the NCWIT Media Hub and on YouTube.
Lifting As They Climb
Although the #AiCStories Ambassadors journeys are awe-inspiring, as the first and sometimes only women of color entering and navigating their respective tech spaces, they’re not without challenges and moments of self-doubt.
“I would probably tell myself to believe in myself more and just continue exploring.”
– Doreen Joseph, University of California, Davis, Ph.D. candidate
Although research has shown that women from races and ethnicities historically underrepresented in computing are less likely to major or work in computer science, these women continue to pursue their dreams and lift as they climb for the next generation.
“I will share my experiences with other Latinas in STEM to help uplift them because we don’t have as much representation. I want to be an example of, “yes, you can, si se puede.” I feel so, so incredibly euphoric when I see someone else not quite like me, but someone like me going up and being very successful and very outspoken and wise. It really inspires me to continue pushing forward and to keep pushing my limits to see if I can become someone like Tiffany Pope one day.”
– Emily Mendoza, University of Illinois at Chicago junior
The Future of Tech is Here
The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program was created to address barriers and support historically minoritized students in pursuing technical fields of study and their computing-related passions. AiC believes that no matter where you stem from, the world needs your ideas.
All of our 2023 #AiCStories Ambassadors agreed: The AiC Community was vital in helping to combat feelings of diffidence, isolation, and imposter syndrome. Whether they joined in college or previously won an AiC High School Award, the uplifting network of talented and dedicated women, genderqueer, and non-binary members has been crucial to their personal well-being and professional successes.
“When I was a senior in high school, I was so excited to be an Honorable Mention recipient of the Aspirations in Computing High School Award. After attending the award ceremony and joining the community, I felt supported, proud, and capable of success in computing and technology. It helped me gain confidence in myself, which is something I needed when I first got to Caltech. I feel relieved knowing I have this diverse support network outside of school.”
– Alexis Wang, California Institute of Technology senior
Share Your Story with Aspirations in Computing Community
Feeling inspired by the #AiCstories Ambassadors? NCWIT is encouraging ALL Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community members to raise their voices, share their experiences, and tell their stories to inspire others!
“I’m a firm believer that exposure creates options, so I’m grateful for the exposure to technology that I had as a kid because it sparked my interest in the field. I’m also a firm believer in the power of sharing our stories, and the AiC community is a great opportunity to not only tell my story to help others, but also to learn from the stories of fellow community members. It’s no secret that the demographic makeup of computing needs improvement, so I aspire to lift as I climb by empowering students who are underrepresented and marginalized in STEM to take their place.”
– Doreen Joseph, University of California, Davis, Ph.D. candidate
Learn more about AiC Stories, the current AiC Story Ambassadors, and how to submit your story online.
