Inspired by her research about the underrepresentation of women in the field of Information Technology, Indira Guzman, an assistant professor in the Computer Information Systems department and director of the Mitchell Hill Center for Digital Innovation, spearheaded the formation of Women in Tech, or WIT, which marks CBA’s first club of its kind.
Officially approved in September of 2023, this student-run organization aims to create a supportive community and foster collaboration among female students pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and engineering. Guzman serves as faculty advisor, and Computer Information Systems students Alessandra Gonzalez and Nicole Ngoy assumed pivotal roles as president and vice president, respectively.
The inception of Women in Tech stemmed from the observed gender gap prevalent in IT programs, with a majority of students in Computer Information Systems and Computer Science being male. Recognizing the need for a space where women could feel empowered rather than intimidated, the founders embarked on a mission to establish Women in Tech.
Gonzalez draws inspiration from her participation in diversity initiatives during her formative years: “While I was growing up, I participated in several diversity initiatives aiming to get women interested in tech, coding workshops led by women programmers for high school girls, all girl cybersecurity classes taught by female instructors, all female hackathons, and last year, an all-female NCL team. I greatly attribute my passion for cybersecurity to these kinds of initiatives; they gave me a safe space to learn and a community.”
Women in Tech gained momentum with its first meeting on September 28, 2023, attracting approximately 125 members through Club Rush. Initial meetings focused on discussions about career tracks for Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and engineering, as well as miscellaneous tracks. The club's goals include reaching out to companies for sponsorship, connecting with women mentors, and establishing a network of female professionals in the IT industry. Women in Tech also aims to aggregate resources such as industry conferences, collegiate competitions, internship applications, and scholarship information.
Ngoy expressed her excitement for the prospects that the club holds for women in the field, “I am so excited for the opportunities and support we will be able to provide for the women in WIT. It has felt so rewarding to hear other women in tech tell us they're happy to find a space like WIT that supports and empowers women during their path to graduation and beyond.”
Looking ahead, the club hopes to continue to grow while also supporting and empowering as many women as they can. The founders also aspire to introduce technology to girls at an early age, fostering an interest in IT from the beginning.
Women in Tech is not just a club, it is a movement aimed at bridging the gender gap in IT, empowering women, and leaving a lasting impact on the tech community. As the club gains momentum and support, it stands poised to inspire Women in Tech across the campus and beyond.
For more information on collaborating, supporting or joining WIT or other student clubs on campus please visit: lintr.ee/calpolywit