A Network for Recruiting, Retention, and Support

There are approximately 10% women in UMass Lowell’s Computer Science Department. In September 2007, thirteen of the women have joined together to create a forum for women issues with respect to computer science. Topics of high interest include mentoring (within the group and to prospective students), recruitment of new students, retention of first year students, and guest lectures from prominent women in academia and industry. Although the group is currently comprised of female faculty and students, all people interested in these topics are encouraged to participate.

The Women in Computer Science (WiCS) group holds monthly “brown bag” lunch meetings where they share common experiences. For example, in a classroom of thirty students, there at most three or four female students. Many times there is only one. Many of the WiCS women have had this experience. It can be intimidating.

Several WiCS members have had internships and corporate jobs and shared their experiences. “Always ask questions. Nobody expects an undergrad to know everything. Take advantage of that,” encouraged one member. “Internships help you decide if this is the right field for you before you finish your degree,” advised another.

Now with its fifteen members, WiCS has diversity. WiCS has male and female faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Some members have families. Some members have come straight from high school, while others have come from community colleges. Some juggle outside jobs in addition to a full course load.

WiCS wants to share their collective experiences with new women computer science students so that they too will be successful.