• Agenda

NCWIT's Board of Directors meets three times per year. Our board provides corporate governance, strategic advice, and development assistance. Board members represent academia, industry, policy, and the community. Learn more about the NCWIT board members.

Perl developer Michael Schwern, along with technical writer and Apache Software Foundation board member Noirin Plunkett, will discuss their experiences in the open source community - how to deal with bias, invite diversity, and build a meritocratic community that benefits both members and future members. 

Please join us for a reception with members of the community and invited guests.

A casual meet-and-greet with other NCWIT K-12 Alliance members over breakfast. Members will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves and provide topics for the K-12 Alliance’s informal “Ice-Breaker and Networking Session.” This is also a place for new K-12 members to connect with a ‘buddy’ for the Summit.

(Several of these workshops repeat in Session Two - see below for details)

1. CS10K: Researchers from the University of Chicago were commissioned to research the landscape of high school computer science teacher professional development (PD) in the United States.  The research revealed a diverse mix of efforts, as well as many systemic impediments that need to be addressed in order to develop a teaching workforce at scale that can teach computer science both credibly and equitably.  Some of the largest PD providers in the study were ones that cited a top goal of broadening participation in computing.  Michael Lach from the University of Chicago will discuss the study and the implications of training our nation's teachers in order to have more computer science classes in schools and more women and other underrepresented groups in those classrooms.  After the presentation, Jan Cuny (NSF) and Cameron Wilson (ACM) will lead the group in a discussion about what this means to the computing community more broadly, and NCWIT specifically.  Join us in this critical dialogue about the future of U.S. K-12 computer science education and hence the U.S. computing workforce. Presenters: Michael Lach, University of Chicago; Jan Cuny, NSF; Cameron Wilson, ACM (THIS WORKSHOP REPEATS)
2. Aspirations in Computing for Talent Development: Come find out how the Aspirations in Computing program can help you attract more women to your organization. Universities will describe how they successfully recruited talented undergraduate women to their CS and engineering programs by hosting an Aspirations award event and offering scholarships to recipients. Bank of America and Microsoft will share ways they have leveraged the program to identify interns and new employees, and increased engagement among employees serving as Aspirations mentors, application reviewers, and event volunteers. Past award recipients will talk about how the Aspirations program has influenced their career decisions, and provide insights about what young women are looking for in a university program or internship. Moderator: Ruthe Farmer, NCWIT; Presenters: Martha Kosa, Tennessee Tech; Eric Bradford, University of Arkansas; Maureen Biggers, Indiana University; Amy Gurley, Bank of America; Cassidy Williams, Iowa State University; Dalene King, Microsoft
3. Bystander Awareness Training: Bystanders can play a crucial role when they witness unconscious biases or problematic comments and interactions occurring in the classroom or workplace. Come learn how you can speak up, make room for silenced voices, halt a painful escalation, and make a difference.  This workshop provides a valuable chance to practice in real time effective things that you can say and do in these potentially uncomfortable or difficult situations. Outcomes of the training include being able to identify and interpret a situation where help is needed, assuming personal responsibility, deciding upon appropriate response, and taking action. Presenter: Patricia Deyton, Center for Gender in Organizations (THIS IS A TWO HOUR WORKSHOP COVERING BOTH SESSIONS)
4. Matinee: Not showing! Technical women in film and television. Films and television programs are filled with occupational messages for boys and girls, yet are dominated by traditional and stereotypical gender roles. Through film clips and open discussions, we will explore the portrayal of women and technical women in mass media and discuss ways of debunking occupational stereotypes to change the beliefs that shape their educational and occupational choices. Presenter: Stacy Smith, USC Annenberg (THIS WORKSHOP REPEATS)
5. NCWIT Academic Resource Workshop: NCWIT member representatives will share their stories of taking action in the educational field through the use of NCWIT resources. Panelists will share their experiences of doing educational outreach, distributing resources, and making changes in the way they teach.  Come to hear their compelling stories, ask questions, and engage in a discussion of how you might take action using NCWIT resources to increase the meaningful participation of females in computing. Moderator: Rebecca Dohrman, Maryville University; Presenters: Sharon Simmons, James Madison University; Renee Fall, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Shalini Kesar, Southern Utah University
6. Male Advocates Matter: Promoting gender diversity in technology: NCWIT is publishing cutting-edge research on male advocates and allies in the technology workplace. Come hear highlights of the research findings and hear male and female NCWIT member representatives talk about their experiences with male influencers. The men on the panel will discuss what motivates them to be part of diversity efforts, what they think works well, what challenges they have faced, and what advice they have for other men and women.  The women on the panel will talk about the role male colleagues and sponsors have played in their careers, ways they recommend identifying male allies, and advice they have for other women and men. Moderator: Catherine Ashcraft, NCWIT;  Presenters: Mike Younkers, Cisco Systems; Colin Bodell, Amazon; Lisa Neal-Graves, Intel; Renata Colitti O'Day, Brocade (THIS WORKSHOP REPEATS)
7. Intersectionality and IT: Historically, research on underrepresentation in technology has focused primarily on identities such as gender or race in isolation of each other, but this approach has important limitations. Come learn about how intersecting identities including gender, race and class shape the experiences of women of color in technical occupations. Dr. Kvasny will draw from her research to illustrate how the experiences of women of color differ from those of their white female colleagues and how these women negotiate the challenges associated with being under represented in terms of both race and gender. Practical implications for creating more inclusive computing environments will also be discussed. Presenter: Dr. Lynette Kvasny (THIS WORKSHOP REPEATS)

(Several of these workshops are repeating from Session One - see below for details)

1. CS10K: Researchers from the University of Chicago were commissioned to research the landscape of high school computer science teacher professional development (PD) in the United States.  The research revealed a diverse mix of efforts, as well as many systemic impediments that need to be addressed in order to develop a teaching workforce at scale that can teach computer science both credibly and equitably.  Some of the largest PD providers in the study were ones that cited a top goal of broadening participation in computing.  Michael Lach from the University of Chicago will discuss the study and the implications of training our nation's teachers in order to have more computer science classes in schools and more women and other underrepresented groups in those classrooms.  After the presentation, Jan Cuny (NSF) and Cameron Wilson (ACM) will lead the group in a discussion about what this means to the computing community more broadly, and NCWIT specifically.  Join us in this critical dialogue about the future of U.S. K-12 computer science education and hence the U.S. computing workforce. Presenters: Michael Lach, University of Chicago; Jan Cuny, NSF; Cameron Wilson, ACM (REPEAT)
2. Funder/Grant Workshop: This workshop will answer questions such as, How do corporations and corporate foundations decide what programs to fund?  What do they want in return? What is the difference between a corporate grant, a foundation grant, and a corporate sponsorship? What can corporations and businesses help us with other than cash grants? Is it better to target large corporations with large grant budgets, or smaller, local businesses when I am looking for funding for my program? Moderator: Wendy Hawkins, Intel Foundation; Presenters: Carleen Beste, Northrop Grumman Corporation; Matthew Blakely, Motorola Solutions Foundation; Paula Golden, Broadcom Foundation; Eileen Sweeney, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Bystander Awareness Training: This is a continuation of the session one workshop. See above for full description.
4. Matinee: Not showing! Technical women in film and television. Films and television programs are filled with occupational messages for boys and girls, yet are dominated by traditional and stereotypical gender roles. Through film clips and open discussions, we will explore the portrayal of women and technical women in mass media and discuss ways of debunking occupational stereotypes to change the beliefs that shape their educational and occupational choices. Presenter: Stacy Smith, USC Annenberg (REPEAT)
5. NCWIT Workforce Resource Workshop II: Join technical and HR leaders from member startups, affinity groups, and corporations to learn more about new and existing NCWIT workforce-related resources (e.g., research reports, strategy workbooks, promising practices, programs-in-a-box, talking points cards) and how you can leverage these resources within your companies to make change.  Learn how others have used these resources and share ideas for improving an organization's capacity to effectively attract, retain, and advance technical women. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to ask questions as you develop change efforts in your own organization. Presenter: Catherine Ashcraft, NCWIT
6. Male Advocates Matter: Promoting gender diversity in technology: NCWIT is publishing cutting-edge research on male advocates and allies in the technology workplace. Come hear highlights of the research findings and hear male and female NCWIT member representatives talk about their experiences with male influencers. The men on the panel will discuss what motivates them to be part of diversity efforts, what they think works well, what challenges they have faced, and what advice they have for other men and women.  The women on the panel will talk about the role male colleagues and sponsors have played in their careers, ways they recommend identifying male allies, and advice they have for other women and men. Moderator: Wendy DuBow, NCWIT;  Presenters: Mike Younkers, Cisco Systems; Colin Bodell, Amazon; Lisa Neal-Graves, Intel; Renata Colitti O'Day
7. Intersectionality and IT: Historically, research on underrepresentation in technology has focused primarily on identities such as gender or race in isolation of each other, but this approach has important limitations. Come learn about how intersecting identities including gender, race and class shape the experiences of women of color in technical occupations. Dr. Kvasny will draw from her research to illustrate how the experiences of women of color differ from those of their white female colleagues and how these women negotiate the challenges associated with being under represented in terms of both race and gender. Practical implications for creating more inclusive computing environments will also be discussed. Presenter: Dr. Lynette Kvasny (REPEAT)

8:30 - 8:45 am Intro: Hadi Partovi of code.org will discuss the compelling video, the reaction so far, and the road ahead.

8:45 - 9:45 am Plenary: Carol Dweck: Born or Made? Understanding Intelligence and Success

Professor Carol Dweck of Stanford University will cover the issues of intelligence and success. Some people believe that intelligence is fixed – you either have it or you don’t. Others believe that intelligence can grow with nurturing and hard work. Professor Dweck calls these fixed v. growth mindsets. When the fixed mindset person struggles accomplish a goal, she is likely to think she doesn’t have it, and give up. Stereotype threat is similarly disruptive: difficulties are seen as internal faults that keep an individual from succeeding. Research is clear: people who believe intelligence is fixed and people faced with stereotype threat perform more poorly than those who believe intelligence can grow or who reject the shortcomings implied by stereotypes. Professor Carol Dweck will discuss her research on the growth mindset and discuss how it can be used to inoculate women in information technology fields and educational programs against stereotype threat.

The Social Science Advisory Board (SSAB) is an advisory group of social scientists from preeminent institutions nationwide that supports NCWIT initiatives and goals through their knowledge of research and theory at the intersection of women and computing. They meet face-to-face annually at the NCWIT Summit.

• Day one agenda