The Young Women in Computing (YWiC) program began in 2006 as part of the National Science Foundation’s Broadening Participation in Computing grant. Over the past eleven years, the program has established a successful and sustainable outreach program. Although YWiC started with just a five-week summer camp for high school females, the program has grown to become a multifaceted computer science community outreach program that has strong foundations in local public schools and NMSU. YWiC’s focus has begun to evolve to reaching students as early as 5th grade and middle school levels to spark their interest in technology and then working to retain the students through high school and into college.
In addition to working with students in the local public schools, the program recruits and employs female computer science students. YWiC offers to tutor, mentoring, and general support for all of NMSU’s Computer Science female undergraduates. YWiC looks forward to continuing its efforts in the local high schools and middle schools, as well as expanding its collegiate group to include women in other computer science related fields.
Due to YWiC’s large base in the community, local schools and the NMSU campus, the program has been able in influence a diverse group of women including a large female Hispanic and Native American demographic.
If you would like more information, please contact by e-mail or call (575) 646-4451.
