Women in Computing
Murray State University’s Department of Computer Science & Information Systems will sponsor the first ever Regional Celebration of Women in Computing conference for Kentucky Feb. 26-27 at Kentucky Dam Village State Park. The shortage of women in computing sciences has been a concern addressed in national conferences for several years. To increase the participation of females in the field has been a goal of the MSU Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, according to Dr. Brenda Wilson.
For the past few years, Wilson has been recruiting young women into the field and mentoring several of them. The conference, Kentucky Celebration of Women in Computing (KY-WIC), provides a low cost, regionally-tailored small conference for women in computing who do not have the opportunity to attend some of the major conferences.
The students with the best undergraduate and best graduate posters will receive a full scholarship to attend the International Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing for 2010 in Atlanta.
The conference will feature guest speakers from Vanderbilt, Intel, Microsoft, Anita Borg Institute and the National Council of Women in Technology.
According to Wilson, the small regional celebration conferences have nine goals:
Create connections among women and other underrepresented groups in computing.
For more information about the conference, contact Wilson at 270-809-6210 or email at Brenda.Wilson@murraystate.edu.
For the past few years, Wilson has been recruiting young women into the field and mentoring several of them. The conference, Kentucky Celebration of Women in Computing (KY-WIC), provides a low cost, regionally-tailored small conference for women in computing who do not have the opportunity to attend some of the major conferences.
The students with the best undergraduate and best graduate posters will receive a full scholarship to attend the International Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing for 2010 in Atlanta.
The conference will feature guest speakers from Vanderbilt, Intel, Microsoft, Anita Borg Institute and the National Council of Women in Technology.
According to Wilson, the small regional celebration conferences have nine goals:
Create connections among women and other underrepresented groups in computing.
Provide role models and mentors.
Destroy myths about computing.
Encourage women to stay in computing.
Give information/help with opportunities such as graduate school, scholarships, fellowships, workshops, conferences, etc.
Build community (inter and intra).
Supply (for many) a first opportunity to participate in a professional venue, creating a resume entry.
Offer contacts with industry, a chance to distribute one’s resume, experience “interviewing” and internships/jobs possibilities.
Foster confidence.
For more information about the conference, contact Wilson at 270-809-6210 or email at Brenda.Wilson@murraystate.edu.
