National Center for Women & Information Technology

National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
Logo of the National Center for Women & Information Technology
Founded 2004
Founders
Type Nonprofit organization
(IRS exemption status): 501(c)(3)[1]
Focus Women in Computing
Location
Area served
 National
Method Alliances, Research, and Programs
Website ncwit.org

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a national non-profit[2] organization that works to increase the meaningful participation of girls and women in computing. NCWIT was founded in 2004, with a sunset clause of 20 years,[3] by Lucinda (Lucy) Sanders,[4]Telle Whitney, and Dr. Robert (Bobby) Schnabel.[5] NCWIT is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado at the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder.[6] Lucy Sanders, who was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2007,[7] is the current CEO.

Mission

As stated on its website, NCWIT's mission[8] is to:

Key Strategies

Alliances

NCWIT consists of five alliances (K-12, Academic, Workforce, Entrepreneurial, and Affinity Group), and a Social Science Advisory Board.[10] Membership of these alliances is made up of over 575 corporations, academic institutions, startup companies, and non-profits.[11]

Resources

NCWIT produces research-based resources which allow member organizations and institutions to make change and raise awareness about the importance of bringing gender diversity to computer science education and the technology industry.[12] These resources advise individuals on how to accomplish reform, implement change, and raise awareness.[13]

Summit

The Annual NCWIT Summit brings together hundreds of corporate, academic, start-up, and non-profit change leaders to discuss topics relevant to women in computing. The event includes workshops, meetings, and inspirational speakers.[14]

Programs and Campaigns

NCWIT coordinates a variety of programs and campaigns which have several goals. Among them are: supporting changes in K-12 computing curriculum, empowering women in computing to increase their visibility, working with high school women to encourage them to pursue computing careers, and celebrating the successes of female tech entrepreneurs.[15]

Aspirations in Computing

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing is a development initiative for young women with aspirations and achievements in computing and information technology. The program consists of an award for high school students as well as a community for college women.[16][17] Sponsors include AT&T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Northrop Grumman, and Symantec.[18]

Pacesetters

The Pacesetters program involves a cohort of NCWIT member organizations who commit to an accelerated increase of technical women at their institutions and workplaces.[19]

AspireIT

AspireIT is an initiative which enlists high school and college women to design and lead computing programs for middle school girls. Through this program, the leaders develop mentorship skills while simultaneously introducing younger girls to computing.[20]

Extension Services

Extension Services consultants work with computing-related academic department representatives that are eager to increase their diversity. Advice and resources are provided to assist clients in identifying what resources they already have to accomplish their goals, and what new innovating strategies they can pursue.[21]

EngageCSEdu

EngageCSEdu is an online tool that contains thousands of course materials for introductory computer science courses. Educators are able to upload and download materials and access resources and guides for best practices. All materials are peer-reviewed to ensure that they achieve the goal of making computer science higher education accessible to women and other minorities. Google developed EngageCSEdu with NCWIT.[22]

Sit With Me

Sit With Me is a national campaign designed to encourage women in computing careers. An iconic Red Chair is used by Sit With Me to symbolize that women need more seats at the table. It is also a symbol that encourages men and women to sit in support for technical women. The campaign helps create gathering places where the contributions of women in computing can be recognized.[23]

Awards

Pioneer Award

Created in 2012, the NCWIT Pioneer Award recognizes those individuals who, over the course of their lives and careers, have contributed to changing the way society sees women in technology and computing.[24]

Winners:

Academic Alliance Seed Fund

Sponsored by Microsoft Research, the Academic Alliance Seed Fund awards startup funding to NCWIT Academic Alliance members for projects and programs designed to recruit and retain women in computing.[25]

Student Seed Fund

Sponsored by Symantec, the Student Seed Fund awards funding to student-run programs that attract and support women in information technology.[26]

Symons Innovator Award

Created in 2009 and presented annually, the Symons Innovator Award recognizes a successful female computing entrepreneur. The award is named in honor of Jeanette Symons, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who passed away in a plane crash in 2008.[27][28]

Winners:

Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award

Sponsored by AT&T, the NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award honors faculty mentors at NCWIT Academic Alliance institutions who work to mentor, support, and promote women in computing-related fields.[29]

Harrold and Notkin Research and Graduate Mentoring Award

The Harrold and Notkin Research and Graduate Mentoring Award honors faculty who, through research opportunities and mentorship, support women and minority graduate students in computing. The award is named in memory of Mary Jean Harrold and David Notkin.[30]

Strategic and Investment Partners

NCWIT is supported by government and corporate partners from the technology sector and other related sectors. Strategic partners include National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Bank of America, Google, and Intel. Investment partners include Avaya, Pfizer, Merck, Turner Broadcasting Systems, AT&T, Bloomberg, and Hewlett-Packard.[31][32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "National Center for Women & Information Technology". Guidestar. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Newmark, Craig (27 September 2013). "10 Women in Tech Orgs You Should Know". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Aspillera, Mark. "STEM Initiative Spotlight: Interview with National Center for Women & Information Technology". WorldWideLearn. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Ericson, Cathie (17 October 2014). "Intrepid Woman: Lucinda (Lucy) Sanders: CEO and Co-founder of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)". The Glass Hammer. Evolved People Media LLC. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Champions of Change". The White House. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)". ATLAS Institute. University of Colorado, Boulder. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Lucinda Sanders, CEO & Co-Founder, National Center for Women and Information Tech.". WITI Hall of Fame. Women in Technology International. 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  8. ↑ NCWIT. "About Us". NCWIT.org. NCWIT. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  9. ↑ Dubrow, Aaron (12 December 2014). "Addressing the shortage of women in technology". NSF. NSF. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Fact Sheet". National Center for Women & Information Technology. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  11. ↑ McGrath Cohoon, J. (March 2011). "NCWIT Offers Community, Resources, and Results". Computing Research News. Computing Research Association. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "Resources". National Center for Women & Information Technology. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  13. ↑ Feintuch, Howard. "The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)". Insight into Diversity. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  14. ↑ Leung, Lily (21 May 2014). "5 takeaways from Chelsea Clinton's O.C. tech conference visit". Orange County Register. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  15. ↑ Frauenheim, Ed (7 February 2005). "Opening doors for women in computing". cNet. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Farmer, Ruthe (30 June 2014). "10 Reasons Why America Needs 10,000 More Girls in Computer Science". The Shriver Report. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  17. ↑ McDonald, Ryan (25 October 2013). "NCWIT program helps high school girls aspire to computer fields". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Aspirations". National Center for Women & Information Technology. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  19. ↑ Chernos, Alex (1 August 2014). "SpotX and Women in Tech: NCWIT Announces Expansion of Pacesetters Program". Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "NCWIT AspireIT - Early Computing Experiences for Girls, 2014". CGI America. Clinton Global Initiative America. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  21. ↑ Thompson, Leisa D. "Initiatives to Support Systemic Change for Women in Undergraduate Computing" (PDF). Penn Engineering. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  22. ↑ Johnson, Leslie Yeh. "Engaging the Next Generation of Computer Scientists". Google for Education. Google. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "David Notkin featured in NCWIT’s “Sit With Me” campaign". University of Washington Computer Science and Engineering. University of Washington. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  24. ↑ Guzdial, Mark. "NCWIT Pioneer Awards to two women of Project Mercury: Following their passions". Computing Education Blog. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "NCWIT and Microsoft Research Kick Start Academic Programs for Attracting Women to Computing Fields". Microsoft Research. Microsoft Research. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "WICS is Awarded the NCWIT Student Seed Fund!". Women in Information and Computer Science. University of California Irvine. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  27. ↑ Allday, Erin. "Bay Area exec and son perish in plane crash". SFGate.com. San Francisco Gate. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "WiTricity CTO Receives NCWIT Symons Innovator Award". WiTricity. WiTricity. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  29. ↑ Blaschke, Jayme. "Computer Science professor honored with research mentoring award". txstate.edu. Texas State. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "Amato elected to CRA board and co-chairs CRA-W". tamu.edu. The Dwight Look College of Engineering. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  31. ↑ "NCWIT Supporters". National Center for Women & Information Technology. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  32. ↑ "Chelsea Clinton to Speak at NCWIT Summit". PRWeb.

External links