We would like to thank the attendees of this year’s Women in Computer Science Year-End Symposium. The event was a largely successful and we were honored to have had the opportunity to listen to several great talks. Check out photos from the event on our website's photo page.

After careful consideration and deliberation, our faculty judges have chosen the speakers to receive sponsorship from WiCS to attend this year’s Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) in Minneapolis, MN, October 2nd–5th. Priority was given to students that showed active involvement with WiCS this year (through volunteering, attending events, or serving as an officer), have not had the opportunity to attended GHC, or are closer to graduation.

Congratulations to the following stellar speakers and their corresponding talks!

Graduate Students

• Savera Tanwir: “Video Traffic Modeling”
• Brittany Johnson:  “Novice Understanding of Program Analysis Tool Notifications”
• Veronica Catete: “Making a Difference, Outreach in Computing”

Undergraduate Students

• Lauren Koepnick & Anya Raspopovic: “EMV: A Better Way to Pay with Smart Chip Credit Cards”
• Denae Ford: “What is the Grace Hopper Celebration and Why Should I Attend?”

We would also like to thank our other participants for presenting the following engaging topics:

• Trisha Biswas: “Studying Closed-Loop Security Systems Using Hybrid Control Theory”
• Prairie Rose Goodwin: “HabilisX: Multitouch document exploration through a tool usage metaphor”
• David Fiala: “Erosion of Security and the Woes of 2013 Privacy: Oh noes”
• Joseph Grafsgaard: “Women in Computer Science: NC State Trends, Best Practices, and Possible Initiatives”
• Barry Peddycord III: “I am Not a Computer Scientist?: Looking at Interdisciplinary Research”
• Trevor Brennan: “Human Computer Interaction”
• Michael Bazik: “Error Notifications: They ARE terrible”
• Eman Arabiat, Usham Thakker, and Shubhi Asthana: “Inference between 802.11n and Bluetooth”

Once again, we greatly appreciate our attendees and organizers for making the event a great success. We encourage everyone to participate again next year and apply to become an officer.

For those of you that were not able to participate in the symposium or would still like to receive funding to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, scholarships are still available.

http://gracehopper.org/2013/participate/ghc-scholarships/

Feeling anti-social with all the work you’ve been doing? Or maybe you have some research that you want feedback on but don’t know the best way to get it? Either way, the WiCS Symposium has something for you! The purpose of this event is to give women in computer science the opportunity to network with faculty and other WiCS advocates, present their research, or give a Lightning Talk about the topic of your choice.

The best 3 undergraduate and 3 graduate presenters will be selected for scholarships to attend this year’s Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) in the fall and represent WiCS! If you are interested in giving a 15 minute informal research or lightning talk, please sign up for an available slot using the following form.

Itching to become more involved with WiCS? You can also expect to learn more about upcoming WiCS elections and apply for available positions in the upcoming school year. If you are interested in running for or nominating someone for an officer position, please see our website for application information.

The event is planned for Friday, April 26 from 12:00 - 3:30 pm in EB 2 Room 3211 and will be organized as follows:

    12:00 - 1:00 pm -- Luncheon; mingle with faculty and other members; learn more about Grace Hopper and officer positions
    1:00 - 3:30 pm -- Research and Lightning Talks

WiCS North Carolina State University

Dear WiCS,

NCSU STARS recruitment window is currently open. Now's your chance to join the movement!

Get involved in service projects and give back to the community through STARS. See the attached flyer for more information.

What is NCSU STARS?
The NCSU STARS Student Leadership Corps (SLC) is a student organization aimed at broadening participation in computing by providing students with the opportunity to learn more about computer science careers, participate in service and outreach programs to local schools, engage in research, and meet with leaders in the computing field, all while earning a stipend!

Go Here & Join Now!
http://stars.csc.ncsu.edu/

Who should I contact if I have questions regarding the organization?

Please contact Veronica Cateté <vmcatete at ncsu.edu> or Robinson N. Udechukwu <rnudechu at ncsu.edu> if you have any questions.

Graduate research fellowships and grants are two important, yet largely untapped, potential funding resources for graduate students at NCSU.

We have compiled a list of resources related to graduate fellowships and grants to raise awareness of existing funding opportunities for graduate students at North Carolina State University (NCSU). These funding opportunities can provide support and flexibility in carrying out graduate and postdoctoral research.

Read More -> 

Hello WiCS!

We have recently gained Fidelity Investments as a WiCS sponsor and we are all super excited about the things to come from this partnership. To celebrate and show our appreciation, WiCS is hosting a WiCS Thanks Fidelity Investments Photo-Op on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:00 pm.

This event will take place in the lobby outside the main CSC office on the 3rd floor of EB 2. This event is meant to be a meet and greet with the opportunity to take photos; if you have a WiCS shirt feel free to wear it and represent NC State WiCS (we also have some extras that will be available for anyone who would like one)!

We look forward to seeing you all there! :D

She++ is looking for game-changing women at NCSU!

She++'s goal is to foster a community to inspire a new generation of female programmers. The group’s initiatives include building a tool to connect technically-inclined high-school females with upper level female college students and recent graduates in Computer Science via online video conversations.

She++ is seeking students who might be interested in agreeing to having 2-3 video-call conversations per month with a variety of middle school and high school girls.

To help connect role models and mentees, create a profile at http://sheplusplus.stanford.edu/nominate.php.

You can learn more about the mentorship program at http://sheplusplus.stanford.edu/rolemodels.php.

If you have any questions, please feel to contact Page Ive (pageive (at) stanford (dot) edu) or co-founders Ayna/Ellora (ayna.agarwal (at) stanford (dot) edu or ellora (at) stanford (dot) edu).
 

We'd like to remind you about our last February event with NetApp on Wednesday, February 27th: "What Does it Take to be Successful in Tech?" from 5:15-6:30pm.

For event details see OrgSync or Facebook. You don't want to miss this event if you're looking for an internship or full-time opportunity. In addition, a catered dinner will be provided to those that RSVP!

We are in the process of planning our March events, but we want your feedback!
WiCS will have the opportunity to Hangout with Google engineers and ask them questions about Google products, technology, and work life.

Put a word in for what you'd like to see at our next social by filling out this form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1p_APV4nvJ-7Q6zkjCAVeZosR_Jq_oudjnhR7_QDvyrk/viewform 

CRA-W is announcing the formation of the 2013 Grad Cohort for Women.

Cohort activities will kick off with a workshop April 5-6, 2013 in Boston, MA, this year generously funded by Microsoft, along with support from Google, Yahoo!, University Departments, and other contributors. This workshop is the cornerstone of CRA-W's efforts to increase the ranks of senior women in computing by building and mentoring nationwide communities of women during their graduate studies.

At the Grad Cohort Workshop, we will welcome new women graduate students in their first year of graduate school into the community of computing researchers and professionals by providing them with a broad range of strategies and role models. Strategies and mentoring for students in their second and third years of graduate school will also be provided.

All of the students will meet for two days with 10-15 senior computing researchers and professionals who will share pertinent information on graduate school survival skills, as well as more personal information and insights into their experiences. The rewards of a research career will be emphasized. This workshop will include a mix of formal presentations and informal discussions and social events. Through the workshop, students will be able to build mentoring relationships and develop peer networks that will form the basis for ongoing activities during their graduate careers.

Eligibility:

Women students in their first, second, and third year of graduate school in computer science and engineering or a closely related field, who are studying at a U.S. or Canadian institution.

Travel expenses, meals and lodging will be provided for students chosen to participate in this program.
For more information about the Grad Cohort program: http://cra-w.org/ArticleDetails/tabid/77/ArticleID/55/Graduate-Cohort-Workshop.aspx

Apply now at: https://computingresearch.wufoo.com/forms/k7w0p5/
Application deadline is Jan. 15, 2013

Sent on behalf of the CRA-W Grad Cohort Program Chairs:
Lori Clarke, University of Massachusetts
Lori Pollock, University of Delaware
Sandhya Dwarkadas, University of Rochester 

Volunteering/Outreach Opportunities

Kramden Mini Geek-A-Thon

Saturday, November 17th
Two shifts: 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm
Kramden HQ, 4915 Prospectus Dr. (Suite J) Durham, NC 27713
Volunteer Registration

This event is a volunteer workday to refurbish PCs for hardworking students in North Carolina that do not have a home computer. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community! 
If you would like to carpool and attend with other WiCS members, contact Pamela Ocampo (pmocampo@ncsu.edu).
Read more about Geek-A-Thon.

Triangle Tech Meetups

First Girl Develop It RDU Meetup

Tuesday, November 13th - 7pm
Fullsteam, 726 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
RSVP on Meetup.com

Come out and meet some of the women behind Girl Develop It and brainstorm ideas for future classes and meetups. If you think you may be interested in GDI, feel free to come out and learn more about us.
Interested in carpooling to Fullsteam? Contact Pamela Ocampo (pmocampo@ncsu.edu)
Read more about Girl Develop it

Start Up & Play

Monday November 12, 2012 - 6:30 PM
The HUB Raleigh - 711 Hillsborough Street - Raleigh, 27603
RSVP, Tickets are FREE

Meet cool startup ventures in the Triangle (including, consumer-facing companies, non-profits and community organizations) talk with the inspiring founders, play with interesting products or services and embrace the many incredible ventures that make the Triangle great!
Interested in walking over to The HUB as a group? Contact Pamela Ocampo (pmocampo@ncsu.edu)
Read more about Start Up & Play

Scholarship Opportunities

Palantir Technologies Scholarship for Women in Technology
Deadline: December 01, 2012

The Scholarships range from $1,500 to $10,000. Scholarship finalists will be flown to our headquarters in Palo Alto, California to participate in a two-day workshop with women at Palantir to experience our work, our culture, and the Bay Area.

Eligibility:

• Currently enrolled as a full time female graduate or undergraduate student studying Computer Science or related area of study.
• GPA of 3.5/4.0 or 4.5/5.0 or higher in their area of study
• Eligible to work in the United States

Read more about the scholarship and apply

Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
Application will open in late 2012

The scholarship recipients will each receive a €7,000 (or equivalent) scholarship.
In June 2013, all scholarship recipients and finalists will be invited to visit a Google office in Europe for a networking retreat. It will include workshops with a series of speakers, panels, breakout sessions and social activities, and will provide an opportunity for all finalists to meet and share their experiences.

Eligibility:

• Female student entering her senior year of undergraduate study or be enrolled in a graduate program in the 2013-2014 academic year
• Enrolled in Computer Science or Computer Engineering program, or a closely related technical field as a full-time student for the 2013-2014 academic year
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or 4.5 on a 5.0 scale or equivalent in your current program.

Read more about the Google Anita Borg Scholarship

2013 CRA-W Grad Cohort
Applications will open in Spring 2013

Students are selected to receive student travel awards (travel expenses, meals and lodging) for two workshops designed to mentor and support women in their graduate school studies.

Eligibility:

• Female students in their first, second or third year of graduate school in computer science and engineering or a closely related field

Read more about the cohort

If you weren't able to attend our last general body meeting, we talked about the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing and it's wonderful benefits and opportunities including: networking with other female students, professors, and industry professionals, tech talks, and workshops for professional and personal development. Marcella Hastings, from Tufts University, gives her personal experience in her post: Why Every Woman in a Technical Field Should Go to the Grace Hopper Conference.

There are several opportunities to attend GHC on a travel scholarships.

• The Anita Borg Institute itself offers scholarships with applications opening in March/April
  http://gracehopper.org/2012/participate/scholarships/
• WiCS will select active members to next year's GHC late Spring semester. The application will require a resume and letters of recommendation.
• One of our vice presidents, Denae Ford, was awarded the Facebook Grace Hopper Scholarship this year.

GHC India 2012 will be in Bangalore December 12-14. If you are interested in attending, there are also student scholarships available. http://gracehopper.org.in/2012/participate/student-scholarships

The Grace Hopper Conference is an event every women in tech should have the opportunity in attending, next year's conference will be October 2-5 in Minneapolis, MN, so keep an eye out for applications next semester to attend with WiCS!
 

ASPIRATIONS AWARD

Calling all digital divas, web chix & coder girls!

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. The program offers both national and local affiliate competitions. National winners receive $500, a laptop and a trip to the March 9, 2013 awards gala. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31: APPLY NOW!

Since 2007, NCWIT has inducted more than 1300 young women into the Aspirations in Computing Talent Pipeline program and honored more than 50 teachers with the NCWIT Educator Award. Learn more at www.aspirationsaward.org. 

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What is the award?
The Aspirations Award honors young women at the high-school level for their computing related achievements and interests. Winners are recognized at an award event here in the community. All applicants will also be considered for the National award. National winners receive $500, a laptop and a trip to the March 9, 2013 awards gala.

Since 2007, NCWIT has recognized more than 1300 young women and honored more than 50 teachers with the NCWIT Educator Award. Learn more at www.aspirationsaward.org. Our Award recipients have been invited to the White House, received scholarships to top universities, and accepted internships at top tech companies such as Microsoft and Google.

Why is the award important?
By generating visibility for technical young women, the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing encourages continued interest in computing, increases awareness of the gender gap in computing and IT, and emphasizes at a personal level the importance of women's participation in computing.

What is the application process?
Please direct girls to http://www.aspirationsaward.org. Detailed instructions and eligibility information are found online. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31!

What is the deadline?
Please notify girls of this opportunity right away. Online applications are open now and must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern on October 31, 2012.

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration to raise awareness about the achievements of women in STEM, to inspire others and creating new role models. Who is your inspiration?

We also have several events coming up in the next few weeks. Below is an overview of each one but you can find full details via the RSVP links.

1. Credit Suisse Tech Talk and Info Session:
   • Oct 22, 2012, 7pm-8pm in Mann 321
   • Overview of the technologies developed in-house to help solve IT issues faced within the Financial Services industry. Learn how to better navigate your career in this space from the eyes of professionals at Credit Suisse. Bring your resume if you're interested in networking with speakers before and after the event.
   • Catered dinner and refreshments provided
   • RSVP: Facebook, OrgSync
2. #GHC12 Coffee Break:
   • October 24th - 1pm in Engineering Building II 3211
   • Join us for our October general body meeting. Enjoy a quick coffee break and a moment to chat about the what it was like to attend this year's Grace Hopper Conference from the students and faculty that attended. If you're interested in learning more about the process of attending next year's GHC with WiCS, you don't want to miss this event!
   • Coffee, cocoa, and snacks provided
   • RSVP: Facebook, OrgSync
3. NetApp Women in Tech - What does it Take to be Successful?
   • Nov 6, 2012, 12pm-1pm in Engineering Building II 3211
   • Listen to a NetApp Senior Vice President and NetApp engineering intern from NC State speak about their experience with working in the technical industry as females as well as what it's like to work at NetApp. There will be time to network before and after the event, so bring your resume!
   • Catered lunch and refreshments provided
   • RSVP: Facebook, OrgSync

"Congratulations to Denae Ford, a junior in the NC State Computer Science Department, on being one of 25 recipients worldwide of a 2012 Facebook Grace Hopper Scholarship to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference. In addition to attending the conference October 3-6 in Baltimore, Maryland, Ford also has the opportunity to go to Facebook’s New York engineering office to meet Facebook engineers and attend tech talks.

The Facebook scholarship includes Grace Hopper Conference registration; an invitation to a private reception with Jocelyn Feinstein, Facebook’s Director of Engineering, and other Facebook employees during the Grace Hopper Conference; an all-expenses-paid visit to Facebook’s New York City office from Sept. 30-Oct. 2 that includes tech talks, mentoring sessions, and optional sightseeing; travel and lodging accommodations for New York and Baltimore; and a $200 food stipend."

(read more) 

Get Social with WiCS and Cupcakes!

Date: Tuesday, September 25th
Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm
Place: EBII 3211

Hungry for some cupcakes? Feed your sweet tooth with a cupcake social hosted by Women in Computer Science (WiCS)!

Come get to know the fine ladies of WiCS and join us as we introduce our officers, tell you what WiCS is all about, and discuss the fun activities we have planned for the school year.

Want to get involved, make new friends, meet department faculty, and learn about the great opportunities WiCS can bring to you? Interested in free cupcakes and WiCS t-shirts?

You won’t want to miss out on this event!

RSVP on Facebook or OrgSync

Interested in Machine Learning? The 7th Annual Women in Machine Learning Workshop registration is open and free! 
WiML will take place this year on December 3rd in Lake Tahoe, Nevada (co-located with NIPS).

From the website:

"Machine learning is one of the fastest growing areas of computer science research. Search engines, face recognition, DNA sequence analysis, speech and handwriting recognition, credit card fraud detection, premature baby monitoring and autonomous locomotion are just some of the applications in which machine learning is routinely used.

This day-long workshop gives female faculty, research scientists, and graduate students in the machine learning community an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other. Underrepresented minorities and undergraduates interested in machine learning research are encouraged to attend."

More information ->