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Fang Yuan, ‘21
Computer science graduate student Tong (Debby) Ding, ’21, who participated in the conference for a second time this year, appreciated the Decoding Bias session. “Bias may be unconscious, but the resulting tech products still do reflect the people who build them,” says Ding, noting the limits of facial recognition software in identifying faces with darker skin tones. “It matters who builds tech products.” Ding, who decided to become a software engineer in her late 20s, says her educational road hasn’t been easy. “The decision led to a massive fight with my family; they felt programming is hard work, not suitable for women,” she says. “When I was at the conference this year, I was ready to share my story and encourage other women to chase their dreams.” Sheila Oh, director of the university’s computer science fundamentals certificate program and faculty advisor for the Women in Technology Club, helps organize conference attendance and scholarships for students in the computer science and electrical and computer engineering departments. Student attendance is, in part, underwritten by generous donors who have given to the STEM Diversity Fund and the Dean’s Fund. “With over 200 sessions, an open-source day, networking sessions, amazing keynotes by Serena Williams and Megan Rapinoe, and over 33,000 attendees, the event offered great opportunities to learn and be inspired,” says Oh. “Afterwards, students support and share knowledge with fellow underrepresented minority students in the SU community and educate potential allies to help bridge the gender gap and achieve pay parity.” Isabel Ovalles, ’23, is a gamer who realized in high school that she wanted to pursue computer science. This was her first year at the conference and she attended virtual sessions on workplace bullies, internships and technical whiteboard interviews. “I found myself meeting a lot of recruiters and starting connections,” says Ovalles. “As a young woman in tech, attending such a vast conference, I feel more confident as I navigate my early career.” There are still barriers for women in tech. But master’s degree candidate Fang (Jenny) Yuan, ’21, has some advice for the women who face those barriers. “There will be glass ceilings, but they are glass for a reason,” says Yuan. “So you can break them.”
In early September 2020, when Seattle University President Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., welcomed the university community to a new academic year, he spoke about the Ignatian paradigm of context. “Our commitments always start with context… and what is our context as we start this year?” he asked. The first topic on his list was the deep moral challenge posed by racial inequity. Natasha Martin, JD, vice president for diversity and inclusion, joined Sundborg to introduce listeners to the ideals of LIFT SU, Seattle University’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan for Racial Equity and Antiracism 2020–2021. These ideals include: Listen and learn; Impact through intentional action; Fail forward; and Transform together. Martin, who wrote an accompanying piece for the fall issue of Seattle University Magazine, explains the university’s commitment to a way forward. “We must create a culture of accountability through building our capacity to embed and infuse diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the institution—from admissions to alumni engagement and everything that exists in-between,” she says. Read more at seattleu.edu/newsroom/magazine/issues/.
Isabe l Ova lles, ‘23
Machine learning and leadership, driverless cars and inclusivity. This fall’s Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the world’s largest gathering of women technologists, had something for everyone, including the 45 Seattle University students who attended.
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YOUNG WOMEN PURSUE CAREERS IN STEM
