National Center for Women & Information Technology

National Center for Women & Information Technology is a non-profit organization that aims to increase the participation of Women in Technology in the United States, with a focus on Computer Science, Information Technology, and Engineering. The organization was founded by Lucy Sanders, Robert Schnabel, and Telle Whitney in 2004, with support from National Science Foundation, Microsoft, and Intel. The center is headquartered at the University of Colorado Boulder and has partnerships with over 1,100 organizations, including Google, Facebook, and IBM. The organization's work is guided by a Board of Directors that includes prominent leaders from Academia, Industry, and Government, such as Maria Klawe, President of Harvey Mudd College, and Deborah Estrin, Professor at Cornell Tech.

● Overview

The National Center for Women & Information Technology works to increase the representation of Women in STEM fields, with a focus on Computer Science Education and Information Technology Careers. The organization provides resources and support for K-12 Education, Higher Education, and Workforce Development, including Professional Development opportunities for Teachers and Mentorship programs for Students. The center also collaborates with organizations such as Code.org, Girls Who Code, and The National Center for Women in Technology Foundation to promote Computer Science Education and Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry. The organization's work is informed by research from Institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University, and is supported by Foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Science Foundation.

● History

The National Center for Women & Information Technology was founded in 2004 by Lucy Sanders, Robert Schnabel, and Telle Whitney, with support from National Science Foundation, Microsoft, and Intel. The organization was established in response to the declining participation of Women in Computer Science and Information Technology fields, and the need for more Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry. The center's early work focused on Research and Policy Analysis, with a focus on understanding the barriers to Women's Participation in STEM fields. The organization has since expanded its work to include Programs and Initiatives such as Extension Services for Undergraduate Programs, Counselors for Computing, and Sit With Me, which aim to promote Computer Science Education and Career Development for Women and Underrepresented Groups. The center has also partnered with organizations such as The Anita Borg Institute, The National Society of Black Engineers, and The Society of Women Engineers to promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry.

● Programs and Initiatives

The National Center for Women & Information Technology offers a range of Programs and Initiatives aimed at promoting Computer Science Education and Career Development for Women and Underrepresented Groups. The organization's Extension Services for Undergraduate Programs provides support for Computer Science Departments at Universities such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The center's Counselors for Computing program provides Professional Development opportunities for Teachers and Counselors at K-12 Schools such as New York City Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Chicago Public Schools. The organization's Sit With Me campaign aims to promote Inclusion and Respect in the Tech Industry, with support from companies such as Google, Facebook, and IBM. The center also partners with organizations such as The Computing Research Association, The Association for Computing Machinery, and The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to promote Computer Science Research and Innovation.

● Research and Publications

The National Center for Women & Information Technology conducts Research and publishes Reports on topics related to Women in Technology, Computer Science Education, and Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry. The organization's Research is guided by a Research Agenda that focuses on understanding the barriers to Women's Participation in STEM fields and identifying effective strategies for promoting Inclusion and Diversity. The center's Publications include Reports such as Women in IT: The Facts, Girls in IT: The Facts, and Diversity in Technology: The Facts, which provide data and analysis on the participation of Women and Underrepresented Groups in the Tech Industry. The organization's Research is informed by collaborations with Institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is supported by Foundations such as the National Science Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

● Awards and Recognition

The National Center for Women & Information Technology has received numerous Awards and Recognition for its work promoting Women in Technology and Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry. The organization has been recognized by Institutions such as The White House, The National Science Foundation, and The Association for Computing Machinery for its contributions to Computer Science Education and Research. The center's Founder and CEO, Lucy Sanders, has received Awards such as the Anita Borg Institute's Women of Vision Award and the National Center for Women & Information Technology's Pioneer Award, for her leadership and contributions to the Tech Industry. The organization has also been recognized by companies such as Google, Facebook, and IBM for its work promoting Inclusion and Diversity in the Tech Industry.

● Partnerships and Community Engagement

The National Center for Women & Information Technology partners with a range of Organizations and Institutions to promote Computer Science Education and Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry. The organization collaborates with companies such as Google, Facebook, and IBM to provide Resources and Support for Women and Underrepresented Groups in the Tech Industry. The center also partners with Non-Profit Organizations such as Code.org, Girls Who Code, and The National Center for Women in Technology Foundation to promote Computer Science Education and Career Development for Women and Underrepresented Groups. The organization's Community Engagement efforts include Events such as the NCWIT Summit, which brings together Leaders and Practitioners from the Tech Industry to discuss Diversity and Inclusion and Computer Science Education. The center also partners with Institutions such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington, and Georgia Institute of Technology to promote Computer Science Research and Innovation. Category:Women in technology