National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)

National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Lucy Sanders, Robert Schnabel, and Telle Whitney, with the goal of increasing the participation of women in technology and girls in STEM fields. The organization is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and has partnerships with over 1,100 organizations, including Google, Microsoft, IBM, and University of California, Berkeley. NCWIT works closely with National Science Foundation, Association for Computing Machinery, and Society of Women Engineers to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. The organization also collaborates with Code.org, Girls Who Code, and Technovation to provide resources and support for K-12 education and higher education institutions.

● History

The organization was established in 2004 with funding from the National Science Foundation and has since become a leading voice in the tech industry, working with companies like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon to increase diversity and inclusion. NCWIT's founding was influenced by the work of Shirley Jackson, Sally Floyd, and Carla Gomes, who were pioneers in the field of computer science and women's empowerment. The organization's early work was also shaped by the Talented Girls, Gifted Women report, published by the National Center for Education Statistics and the American Association of University Women. NCWIT has also partnered with Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to conduct research and develop programs to support women in tech.

● Mission and Goals

The mission of NCWIT is to increase the participation of women in technology and girls in STEM fields, with a focus on K-12 education, higher education, and workforce development. The organization's goals are aligned with those of the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and OECD, which emphasize the importance of gender equality and diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. NCWIT works with organizations like Girls Inc., National Center for Women's Studies, and Women's Technology Cluster to provide resources and support for women entrepreneurs and women-led startups. The organization also collaborates with Intel, Cisco Systems, and Oracle Corporation to develop programs and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

● Programs and Initiatives

NCWIT offers a range of programs and initiatives, including the Extension Services for Undergraduate Programs (ES-UP) and the Counselors for Computing (C4C) program, which provide support for K-12 education and higher education institutions. The organization also offers the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) award, which recognizes the achievements of high school girls and college women in computer science and information technology. NCWIT has partnered with University of Texas at Austin, Carnegie Mellon University, and Georgia Institute of Technology to develop programs and initiatives that support women in tech. The organization also works with National Center for Education Statistics, American Association of University Women, and National Association for Multicultural Education to provide resources and support for underrepresented groups in the tech industry.

● Research and Publications

NCWIT conducts research and publishes reports on topics related to women in technology and girls in STEM fields, including the Girls in IT report and the Women in Tech report. The organization's research is informed by the work of Sandra Harding, Donna Haraway, and Sherry Turkle, who are leading scholars in the field of feminist theory and science and technology studies. NCWIT has also partnered with University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to conduct research and develop programs to support women in tech. The organization's publications are widely cited by scholars and practitioners in the field, including Susan Faludi, Naomi Klein, and Rebecca Goldstein.

● Awards and Recognition

NCWIT has received numerous awards and recognition for its work, including the National Science Foundation's Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring and the White House's Champions of Change award. The organization's founder, Lucy Sanders, has also received the Anita Borg Institute's Women of Vision award and the University of Colorado's Distinguished Service Award. NCWIT has been recognized by Forbes, Fortune, and Fast Company as one of the leading organizations promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. The organization has also been awarded funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation to support its programs and initiatives.

● Partnerships and Community

NCWIT has partnerships with over 1,100 organizations, including Google, Microsoft, IBM, and University of California, Berkeley. The organization also works with Code.org, Girls Who Code, and Technovation to provide resources and support for K-12 education and higher education institutions. NCWIT's community includes women in tech, girls in STEM, and allies who are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. The organization has also partnered with National Association of Women in Technology, Women in Technology International, and Society of Women Engineers to provide resources and support for women entrepreneurs and women-led startups. NCWIT's work is also supported by United Nations Women, World Bank, and European Commission, which recognize the importance of gender equality and diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Category:Women in technology