Goal statement
The program specifically aims to equip female students to gain
interest in IS through: (1) hands-on projects impacting a social
context (2) mentoring and networking with IS/IT professionals and
area non-profit organizations, (3) mentoring/socializing with near
peers in IS/IT. The specific goals are to:
1. Increase recruitment of female students in IS/IT programs as their
major from the pool of undecided majors
2. Increase recruitment and retention of female students (in IS majors
and/or those considering it), via empowering them to succeed in IS/IT
discipline through programming skills pertaining to application
development
3. Increase retention of female students by providing mentoring and
networking support, creating near-peer groups, and role models of
women leading in IT.
Activity Description
The program had the following elements:
1. Programming Labs: Students will work in pairs as they will be
given instructions on programming skills, logic and on the ability to
synthesize programming skills with creativity and teamwork to a
project addressing a social challenge.
2. IT Roundtable: To enhance students’ understanding of various
professions/jobs/roles in IS/IT professionals from academia and
industry along with the near peers will be invited to engage with the
students via presentations and/or informal discussions.
3. Succeeding in IS: Informal information sessions with
undergraduate and graduate students in the IS/IT program in sharing
their roadmap to successfully navigating the IS program as a
major/minor, career choices, etc. This is designed to create a
sociable environment to help expand students’ peer IT network.
4. We also offered a $mart $tart, Salary negotiation program in collaboration with American Association of University Women
Progress On Activity
The project was successfully completed in Fall 2016 (as discussed with Kim, we had to move it from Summer due to lack of students availability). At UNCG, we are continuing this program this Fall.
