Diversity: Women and Minorities

The story:

Diversity is a key element to the success of organizations, and CS@VT is committed to establishing and fostering a diverse community of computer scientists here at Virginia Tech and worldwide.

Historically, CS@VT has been strong in its inclusion of underrepresented groups.  Through the 1980's, CS@VT had 30+% women enrolled in its undergraduate program.  Many prominent researchers from underrepresented groups--including Lucy Nowell, Cheryl Seals, and Jamika Burge--emerged from our graduate program.  But, after the dot.com bust in 2001, enrollment in CS programs fell at Virginia Tech and nationwide, and diversity enrollment was hit harder.   Now, thanks in part to the programs and resources described here, our diversity footprint is increasing again. 

Diversity is a major focus in CS@VT!

What have we been doing to increase diversity?

Recruitment

  • Regional VA/DC NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards for high school women (with UVa and George Mason)
  • Recruiting visits to high schools, HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, and 4-year colleges
  • Annual CS high school teacher workshops
  • Efforts co-promoted by the College of Engineering CEED program and other campus groups:
    • lunch programs with Hypatia and Galileo (the women and men's honors residential communities for Engineering freshmen)
    • first year COE/CEED student invitations to CS events
    • modules in first year Engineering Foundations courses
    • modules in pre-college STEP program
    • modules in C-Tech2, NASA Inspire, IMAGINATION Camp, Higher Achievement, and other summer programs with a mission to promote diversity
  • Annual Women in Computing Day each spring
    • sponsored by our Association for Women in Computing (AWC) chapter
    • about 100 local 7th grade girls come to VT for a day of fun with computers
    • celebrated the 15th annual event in Spring 2012

Welcome!

 Faculty Engagement

  • Departmental service includes at least one diversity promoting activity for each faculty member, listed on the year end activity report and figuring in merit pay raises.
    • Participation in diversity activities are aided by the running list of recruitment opportunities above
    • Faculty are encouraged to seek out additional opportunities as well

Retention

  • A strong, active, student-led Association for Women in Computing
  • Sponsored trips to Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
  • Sponsored trips to the Richard Tapia conference


Program Revision

  • Alternative track “Media Computation” Introduction to Computer Science (with 20+% women)
  • Developing “designer minors”, alternative paths for undergraduates to gain experience and confidence with Computer Science... plus another area of interest!

Extensions and Connections

  • We are an NCWIT (National Center for Women and Information Technology) Pacesetter
    • Pacesetters lead in advancing & refining methods for recruitment & retention of women
    • awards from NCWIT and Pacesetters help support our efforts
  • We are among the founding organizers of the NCWIT VA/DC Aspirations in Computing Awards.  In 2012-2013, we are working with colleagues at UVA, GMU, VSU, JMU, and W&M on this award program to recognize achievements in computing by high school women in Virginia and Washington DC.  From the NCWIT website: "Receipients are selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education."
  • We have participated in diversity-promoting organizations such as STARS Alliance, A4RC (Alliance for the Advancement of African-American Researchers in Computer Science), and the CDC (Coalition to Diversify Computing)
  • We organized a summer NSF Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) program for six years, partnering with four regional minority serving institutions--and we maintain active research connections with these organizations
  • Funding for our efforts comes from the NSF (in particular, the BPC and REU programs), and our CSRC partners (in particular, Lockheed Martin, Google, Northrup Grumman, and Microsoft

Diversity Connections and Resources

No matter what you are or where you come from, come join us and bring your own kind of diversity to CS@VT! 

Here are some resources aimed at helping women and minorities: