WicSE: Impact of a women's support group on increasing the percentage of women students in a department of computer science and engineering

Abstract

This paper is an experience report describing the creation and expansion of a CSE women's student support group. In 2013 we started WiCSE (Women in Computer Science and Engineering) in order to improve recruitment and retention of women in computer science, computer engineering, and information technology. This support group has provided significant support and benefits (including career guidance, career opportunities, and social outings) to women CSE students. The key contributions of this paper are the description of the mentoring programs, student-led outreach programs for K-12 students, and recruitment of officers. Specifically, we share our experience of growing from a small informal group of women students to an official student organization of about 300 members; forming long term relationship with industry partners through an industry mentoring program and technology-focused workshops; lessons learned in the K-12 outreach program; organizing trips to the Grace Hopper Celebration and ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing conferences. Our Department has seen significant growth in the percentage of degrees awarded to women students. In 2012-2013 academic year, the percentage of degrees awarded by the department for women students was 9.79%. In 2017-2018 academic year, the percentage of degrees awarded by the department for women students was 14.86%. The percentage of degrees awarded for women students has increased 52% in the past 6 years. These numbers indicate the success of efforts of WiCSE on increasing the percentage of women students.