Did you know that according to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the percentage of women who graduate with degrees in technology-related disciplines is less than 1%?

Did you know that the percentage of computer science degrees awarded to women has declined by 19% over the past thirty years?

In an effort to broaden the participation of women in technology, the City University of New York (CUNY), Cornell Tech, Verizon and with help from other tech companies will launch an introductory computer-science class this fall designed to appeal to women. This class which is part of the Women in Technology and Entrepreneurship in NY (WiTNY) initiative will be offered at four CUNY campuses- Queens College, LaGuardia Community College, College of Staten Island and City Tech. The course eventually will be offered to all CUNY students. This program will also connect students with opportunities at local companies that sponsor this initiative. These companies include Accenture, Citi Foundation, IBM, Xerox, JPMorgan Chase, and Grand Central Tech.

This approach in teaching and learning computer science with a specific concern was tested in a pilot program at CUNY's Macaulay Honors College in January. Within a few weeks student interest in computer science as a career increases by 40%. Ann Kirschner, special adviser to the CUNY chancellor states that "If you teach computer science in a different way, you get different results. Imagine teaching robotics not for the sake of robotics but to help with disabled-access issues.  Imagine teaching data analytics to track the path of refugees moving from Syria to Europe."

The WiTNY initiative is also offering summer programs in technology product design and entrepreneurism for graduating high school senior girls en route to CUNY, scholarships for CUNY undergraduate women, internships and community support for women committed to pursuing computer science and related technology disciplines. Program partners include the NYC Tech Talent Pipeline and the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT).

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