Which Initiatives (Designed to Increase Diversity in Computing) Really Work?
Panel Organizer: Wanda J. Smith, Virginia Tech Panelists: Sandra DeLoatch, Norfolk State University; Lamont A. Flowers, University of Florida and Tracy Lewis, Radford University Industry professionals are consistently reporting fears that colleges and universities aren’t teaching students what they need to know to succeed in today’s IT job market. In response, university educators and administrators are re-evaluating whether the computing curriculum, programs and services they offer effectively help students learn, persist and develop. Our panel will propose a solution-oriented approach to address total life-cycle challenges of computing students’ progression. We will describe new strategies and successful initiatives underway in some universities around the country. Our discussion will cover “proven” behavioral, administrative and technical initiatives that institutions can use to recruit and retain a steady stream of minority computing students. While many of these initiatives have b
