- Presidents
- Operations
- Corporate
- Outreach
- Community
- Academic
- Brand
- Advisors
- Presidents
- Operations
- Corporate
- Outreach
- Community
- Academic
- Brand
- Advisors
History
WICC was founded in March 2013 to bring together women in computing fields at Cornell, expand their opportunities and successes, provide a support network of women, and empower them to encourage younger women to consider computing fields. We hope to create a budding community for women and promote interaction on academic, social, and professional issues. By making women in computing fields visible, providing role models and dispelling stereotypes, WICC fosters a support network to empower women and encourage young girls to discover their love for computing.
Advisor, Co-Presidents
I took my first Computer Science class my first semester at Cornell and I quickly grew to like it. It was systematic and logical; everything had a reason and an explanation. It was perfect for me. But I still wasn't sold on the Computer Science major. To me, Computer Science meant sitting in some basement coding. It had no impact on real people and it had no impact on the real world. While I now know that Computer Science is inherently connected to the real world, I have also come to realize that the basement stereotype is a misperception that frequently drives females away from Computer Science. As co-president of WICC, I hope to make CIS more personal. I want our community to understand that Computer Science can be applied to any field. I want students to thrive on collaboration and the support of others. And I want every student to know they can succeed in tech and beyond.
Advisor, Co-Presidents
I took my first CS class junior year of high school when my school replaced AP Stats with AP Java. Being a huge math nerd, I was bumbed that they switched the class but after taking the Java I wanted to continue to explore computer science. Once I learned that Cornell had CS and IS, I was torn between the two but decided to major in Information Science because it allows me to get the technical skills of CS as well design thinking, product cycle, and much more.
Advisor, Co-Presidents
As a lover of both technology and language, when I learned Visual Basic in eighth grade, I was happy to discover that many of my favorite parts about language and communication-- problem-solving, helping, and inventiveness-- were integral to CS, too. Throughout high school, I explored the subject further through online classes, and in 2014, co-founded Summer of CS, an annual free 1-2 week long workshop for middle school students. My vision to foster an empowering and inclusive environment in computing was born as I witnessed apprehensive beginners transform into enthusiastic coders through the workshops.
As former Co-President of WICC and current Advisor to the Co-Presidents, I love this organization and am excited to help guide the executive board to expand this mission and create focused impact.
Advisor, VP Brand
Ever since I was first introduced to computer science, I had always loved how programming constantly surprised me. It surprises me when a line of code could instantly create something on my screen and it surprises me when it shows me that I could I do something I didn't know I was capable of doing. I hope to inspire others not only to learn how to code, but also how to channel one's inner creativity and build something that might be completely out of their expertise. I hope to make an impact by rebranding how most people see WICC. We're not just women in computer science, we're creatives and innovators working towards inspiring others to build products that change the world.
Advisor, VP Outreach
I grew up with an electrical engineering professor as a mother. Naturally, I was always surrounded by STEM. From helping her build LEGO robots to watching in awe as she used a circuit to put a spinning bunny on top of my hat for my kindergarten's crazy hat day, STEM was normal to me. It was especially normal for me to see a woman, my mother, be successful in STEM. She was always my role model, and I dreamed of pursuing a career like hers. It wasn't until high school that my perceptions changed and I began to lose confidence in STEM classes. I went to a male-dominated engineering high school where I often felt out of place or as if I were looked down upon. I loved my computer science classes, but all my classmates seemed to know the information before the teacher even taught it. I always felt behind and like I wasn't smart enough for computer science. It wasn't until I came to Cornell and met women just like me in WICC that I regained the confidence I once had in my childhood to pursue a career in computer science. I saw seniors that reminded me of myself succeeding in computer science at Cornell and I thought to myself, "if they can do it, I can too." Through my position in WICC, I hope to help more women regain the confidence they need to pursue computer science.
Advisor, Academic
As a freshman, a professor told me that electrical engineers build the plane computer scientists pilot. And at that time, I really believed that the two fields were distinct and CS was not my thing. After spending time learning and taking classes, I soon realized that I couldn't build without knowing how to fly and vice versa - I couldn't work on hardware without knowing how to program it. Being a part of WICC was one of the ways I integrated ECE and CS, and made room for myself in the CS community. WICC has taught me a lot of about collaboration, communication, integrating CS with other engineering and liberal arts fields, and appreciating and working to better a diverse community. I strongly believe that diversity fosters new perspectives and multi-faceted ideas in all areas, and as part of WICC's academic team, I hope to increase and encourage participation for anyone even remotely interested in tech.
Advisor
I always knew I wanted to be an engineer so I came to Cornell looking for a community of strong and motivated women who shared similar career interests as me. WICC has not only allowed me to expand both my personal and professional development, it has also increased my confidence in my success at Cornell.
Advisor, Corporate
I had a long and windy road before declaring my major in Computer Science. I didn't enroll in my first real Computer Science class until I got to college, and it wasn't even love at first sight. I was 100% set on being a Chemical Engineer, when Computer Science surprisingly snuck up on me. I spent the summer after my freshman year reflecting on what I wanted to do, and while working at a small tech startup, decided that I was enjoying this so much more than the miserable hours I put into my chemistry lab. The satisfaction I gain from when my code works, the amount of creativity that Computer Science allows me to explore, and the combination of math and problem solving have hooked me in for life. I spent my last semester as a Community Discussions Co-Director and loved getting in touch with the Cornell community and beginning the long journey to start and continue discussion that would make Cornell a more inclusive and fair community. This semester, as one of the Corporate Relations Directors, I hope that I can help the entire WICC community (including men, other majors, etc) grow professionally and gain fair and equal access to internships and opportunities. There's nothing more I want than to see that I have made an impact in helping my peers succeed.
Advisor, Corporate + Mentorship
Computer science is awesome. I revel in how interdisciplinary it is and how I can combine it with my other interests of art, music, design, and language. What motivates me most to continue programming and work on projects is the ability CS affords me to make tangible social impact through code. I love being apart of WICC and supporting and getting to know other CS students in the community. I hope that through WICC, I can help make the CS community more welcoming and collaborative for everyone.
Advisor, Faculty Alumni
I decided I was going to major in CS on a whim during Cornell Days because I liked math, I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I was already spending a significant part of my day vegetating in front of my computer. Fortunately, I have grown to love CS for the dynamic yet rigid problem-solving skills it taught me and the endless breadth of fields that it intersects with. I came to WICC for the free pizza bagels and Insomnia cookies, but I stayed because of the wonderful group of people who helped me integrate myself in the CS major and explore vastly diverse opportunities in technology. WICC's Lunch Bunch program was one of my favorite freshman experiences because I got to learn more about careers in corporations, startups, and academia while meeting other creative and motivated Cornell students. Throughout my term at WICC, I hope to help provide every CS student the resources, advice, and support systems they needs to feel successful and fulfilled at Cornell.
Advisor, Career Dev
I started college without an ounce of CS experience and spent an entire year pursuing the chemistry track. Halfway through, I started feeling that maybe chem just wasn't for me. However, it wasn't until the beginning of sophomore year that I took Java and learned how to loop right. Even though I started CS later than most people, I'd like to stand as proof that it's 100% possible to catch up, regardless of where you start. I enjoy helping underclassmen realize their potential, since I was in their place only a year or two ago. I schedule casual mock interviews and technical interviews whenever, so just email me if you want one! Or if you just want to meet for coffee and chat about life, that's good too!
Advisor, Career Dev
Before coming to Cornell, the most CS experience I had was making fun little websites for a gaming site - nothing to put me amongst the ranks of those who had been coding for years. Ever since joining WiCC, I have been introduced to a community of people who have given nothing but love and support to me, and I hope to return that tenfold. To be a woman of color in this field is a tricky thing, and I would have felt incredibly lost at Cornell if I had never joined WiCC. I have learned to love CS, even at its worst moments, because of this organization and it's mission to make it accessible to everyone, rather than to a select few. As an Outreach Co-Director, I take it on a personal level to spread this accessibility to girls who might otherwise have never been exposed to Computer Science, and therefore would have missed out on incredible opportunities.
Advisor
I had a bit of a slow start with CS- it wasn't until my I joined Girls Who Code before my senior year of high school that I really fell in love with this field. CS is inherently interdisciplinary because you're parsing the world around you, so there's never a shortage of meaningful intersections and initiatives. Despite all that I love about my major, I also couldn't help but notice that peoples' experiences as a part of this community varied drastically, especially if they hadn't been exposed to computing from an early age. Everyone deserves equal opportunity to succeed in this field, so I joined WICC to help start conversations and provide resources to those who need them most. During my time with WICC, I've been working to engage and support all members of the CIS community, notably through workshops on combating bias and toxic work environments, overcoming mental health stigmas, and intersectionality and allyship in tech. I'm really looking forward to continue furthering our mission of intersectionality and inclusion this year!
Advisor, Design
I was late to the game but better late than never. With an overwhelming amount of interests, I found myself constantly conflicted on having to commit to one. Then I came to Cornell and stumbled upon the solution: coding. It wasn't until I took a chance to explore and enrolled myself in CS courses that I became exposed to computing and learned about its versatility and power to create and bring ideas to life. Joining WICC last semester only solidified my decision to pursue Information Science after attending workshops, where I discovered the intersection between tech and design, and engaging with the encouraging and talented members of the WICC community. And I hope to carry on and bring this passion and spirit to help other young women pursue computer science.
Advisor, Photography
I grew up in the Silicon Valley and watched my parents code all day. As a child, I would show my friends how quickly I could smash random keys on the keyboard, just like my parents could. I didn't take particular interest in what seemed to me like the typing of colorful but incomprehensible jargon until my first CS class at Cornell. Completing every project meant experiencing the exhilaration of overcoming a ton of tiny logic puzzles. Since then, I have discovered the power of computing through implementing various web scraping tools, data analysis scripts, and UI's. I treat every blank text editor file as a canvas and constantly ask myself, "How can I write this to be as efficient and usable as possible". Thus, though I am not a CS major, I am able to reconcile my future as an engineer and my interests in design through my mentality and approach on every project. As WICC photographer, I tell stories that eliminate the stereotypes and barriers that prevent engineers and artists, men and women from understanding each other and working together.
Advisor
I didn't know what computer science was until the summer after my junior year in high school when I decided to apply to a Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program in my area. During the program, I learned about computer science, gender disparity, and the incredibly supportive community of women in tech. In college, I wanted a similar supportive community and WICC provided me with just that. I decided to pursue computer science in college because I love problem solving and was excited for a challenge. Computer science by no means comes easily to me, but I love the rewarding feeling of finishing a difficult project. WICC has introduced me to countless people and opportunities and I love being a part of this empowering community.
Advisor, Social
My love for computing has always been like coming home; it's been my comfort since before I could open a school locker. I started understanding this comfort when I got my first laptop and quickly discovered that I could make my own websites with the aid of Quackit; the Myspace of W3Schools. My fondness of typing in languages that narrowly resembles the English language has been immense since then. It has only grown with the more languages I've come to know, the less it looks like English, and the longer I take to solve a problem. I hope to be able to share that feeling with girls of all ages and leave them in awe of the world of Computer Science.
Advisor/Consultant
Like many others, my introduction to computer science in high school was nothing shy of completely nerve-wracking as I had come to view the field as daunting, foreign and seemingly very mysterious. I had no friends who were taking the particular course with me, and I was unsure of what coding would actually entail. As one of the only two females in the course, and the only member who was coming in completely blind, it was often difficult to relate to those around me and seek out help. For much of the first month I felt lost and often discouraged without a strong support system of women in computer science around me. Ever since declaring Information Science as my major and interacting with my fellow classmates here at Cornell, I have been surrounded by nothing but encouraging, positive and excited STEM women who constantly amaze me by their unique interests and deep-seated passions for the field. Joining WICC will allow me the opportunity to spread my love and obsession for the industry, to help motivate and support the women around me, and to help encourage and build a dominant female voice in the large world of computing.
Vice President, Outreach
One of the main reasons that I decided to pursue Computer Science is because it gives me the opportunity to be creative. There are so many different things one can do with Computer Science, from making a video game to diagnosing cancer, or from designing driverless cars to saving endangered species. I am so happy that I joined WICC because I've gotten the opportunity to work alongside amazing people towards the common goal of serving our community. Having previously been a Co-Leader for the Girls Who Code club, I had the opportunity to teach Computer Science to local high-schoolers. As an Outreach Co-Director, I hope to continue to share my love of creating with our local community and to encourage more women to join Computer Science.
Outreach Co-Director
I quickly fell in love with Computer Science after taking my first Computer Science at Cornell. Coming from a family of engineers, I had always been interested and surrounded by STEM. Computer Science, however, intertwined problem-solving and creativity in a new way for me. Through WICC's Lunch Bunch program, I began to realize how Computer Science is so versatile and crucial to different fields- and more importantly, I discovered a larger community of students who are passionate about engaging with technology in different ways. As an Outreach Co-Director of WICC, I want to make Computer Science accessible and exciting for students from every community. I hope to share my passion for computing with young women and encourage them to deepen their computer science skills and confidence.
Outreach Co-Director
I was raised in the Silicon Valley, surrounded by STEM, so naturally I became more interested in engineering and computing. I loved how logical these areas were, and was excited to combine both creative and technical skills to solve problems. However, I didn't see a lot of representation of women in these fields, even in my high school robotics team. I want to be a part of the solution in making engineering and computing more "inclusive for all", and I'm excited to do so by reaching out to younger students as an Outreach Co-Director!
Outreach Co-Director
I had never imagined myself studying Computer Science. In high school, I took a CS class and felt behind many of my other classmates who had been coding for years. I thought I had gotten too late of a start to pursue CS. When I came to Cornell, I took a CS class to fulfill a requirement. The class was taught much differently than my high school class was and helped me develop confidence in coding and in myself. Joining WICC has further encouraged me in my endeavors, giving me a community of wonderful people who have supported me through my CIS journey. As Outreach Co-Director, I would like to empower students to pursue their interests and make computing accessible to all, regardless of experience or access to resources.
Vice President, Academic
It's strange to think that, up until participating in the Girls Who Code program back in high school, I was convinced I'd be an architect. However, after spending weeks working on controlling robots, shuffling "decks" of card objects, and developing scrolling video game backgrounds, I knew I wanted to be a part of the tech world. Since then, I've attended and founded hackathons, interned at companies from AOL to Qualcomm, and dedicated my time to diversity in STEM initiatives and outreach programs. Outside of WICC, I am the founder and president of the Cornell Beta Chi chapter of the Alpha Omega Epsilon engineering sorority and I'm majoring in Electrical/Computer Engineering. I'm dedicated to my passions of living in Duffield, reading YA novels, and showing off my meal-prepping skills. I'm excited to take on the role of VP of Academic so I can oversee the amazing events and initiatives that connect students to the Cornell CIS community and prepare them for their journey both inside and outside of the classroom.
Faculty & Alumni Relations Co-Director
When I came to Cornell, I had reservations about taking CS and IS classes. I felt like I didn't fit the typical image of a "computer scientist" and that I wouldn't be able to keep up academically. Before, I imagined my career to be heavily collaborative and focused on "human-related" issues, not spending my days on a computer. But having finished just one semester here, my perspective has changed entirely. Computer science deals with human problems just as much a pre-med or political science student would. I've surprisingly come to appreciate the "translation" of an idea into code, even with the hours of staring at terminal screens. And WiCC has only heightened my appreciation. Because of WiCC, I was able to meet my first CS partner, and some of my first friends in CS. I find it incredibly rare to see an organization that not only promotes inclusivity, but actively makes it part of its process. There's such a strong community here that truly wants to lift each other up, and I think myself lucky to be a part of it. I hope by being part of WiCC board this semester I can give back to the community that I've learned so much from.
Faculty & Alumni Relations Co-Director
I decided to go into computing when I realized how powerful of a tool it could be in literally any field of interest I had. I love puzzles and building and it seemed like a perfect place to be. I joined WICC for the community of women I wanted to surround myself with. I wanted to be around people that were passionate about their work, but also saw problems that they wanted to contribute change to. For me, I get most inspired when I'm surrounded by people a really respect. Through joining WICC, I hope to show minorities in tech the diversity of opportunities that exist in this field, and teach them to never be discouraged to reach out for them.
Career Development Co-Director
Unlike a lot of people, I had not programmed or learned anything about CS during high school. Starting off with no prior experience and no connections in the tech field, I was nervous to even take my first Python class. Surprisingly, I found computing not as intimidating as I thought and I began to explore this amazing field. I am attracted by both the theoretical aspect of computing and math, as well as how powerful computing is in modern applications. Throughout my journey at Cornell, WICC has been my biggest resource to seek to. From mentorship groups to community discussions, from corporate events to technical workshops, I gained most, if not all, of my confidence and support from WICC. I finally decide to join WICC board and give back to the community at the end of my third semester here. I enjoy being in this community and I wish to encourage more people of all identities to explore computing!
Career Development Co-Director
When I entered Cornell, I had no idea what major or career path I wanted to pursue. It wasn't until the spring of my sophomore year, the same semester I started my involvement with WICC and joined the Lunch Bunch program, that I knew I wanted to try my hand at Information Science. Through WICC, I was able to get acclimated with the CIS community, including its professors, and begin to fulfill my academic passions at Cornell. Since joining sophomore year, I have made so many connections with my peers in InfoSci as well as computing-related majors outside my own. As a woman of color just starting out in computing, I felt so supported by WICC's mission and community - enough to gain the confidence to follow through with my transition to the InfoSci major. Since then, I've been continuing to learn and gain experience through WICC's goals and actions, and I hope to play a part in someone else's experience in computing at Cornell as the past members of WICC did for me.
Underclassmen Outreach Director
My journey with WICC started even before I started college: by attending WICC's pre-freshmen meet and greet event during Cornell Days. Through this event, and through the many other WICC initiatives I got the opportunity to be a part of during my college career, I was able to become a dedicated member and mentor in the computing community. WICC has shown that an aspiring technologist doesn't need to fit some conventional mold to be successful in computer and information science. Rather, the diversity of our backgrounds and experiences is what makes our work in computing truly impactful. Through WICC's dedication towards mentorship and support for minorities in tech, I hope to continue the organization's efforts towards encouraging future innovators and game-changers to make the computing community more inclusive and thus to have a positive impact on society and technology.
Vice President, Community
Coming to Cornell I had no idea what I wanted to study and on a whim I decided to take a CS class. As the semester went on I found myself looking forward to my CS classwork because I enjoyed how logical each process was and how organized all of our work had to be. Yet, I was hesitant to truly consider CS as a major because I knew that in this field I would be an anomaly. Luckily I found the encouragement and support I needed through the WICC community. WICC has taught me that CS is for anyone who wants to study CS. I love being a part of this community and now I want to help others understand that they belong here too.
Social Co-Director
I love computer science because I have always been creative from a young age, and I believe that coding is the ideal combination between logic and creativity. I find it empowering to identify problems around me and come up with practical, accessible solutions. To me, being a computer science major means I can combine my passion for programming and desire to create new, world-changing technology. Currently, I am involved in WICC's social board as well as WICC's Girls Who Code Middle School Program. I am so happy I found such an empowering and fulfilling organization at Cornell!
Social Co-Director
I came to Cornell knowing that I wanted to study computer science, but I was a little hesitant about it. In my high school, only a handful of girls wanted to study engineering and hardly anybody wanted to study computer science. It was perceived as "nerdy" and simply entailed a lot of staring at a screen and monotonous coding, but I knew that computer science was more than that. To me, it's problem-solving, creativity, and innovating the future. I'm lucky enough to have an awesome mom that works in the tech industry and has been a role-model to me as I've grown up. Through her experiences, I've witnessed the hardships of being a woman in tech. As a member of WICC, I hope to break the stigma of computer science being some boring field and introduce people to its endless possibilities. I want to help create a more supportive environment for women and minorities in tech and motivate people to pursue their dreams no matter the obstacles.
Community Discussions Co-Director
Whenever I heard the term, "information science" as a kid, I always thought of men in gray shirts helping you install your WiFi hotspot into your living room. My school wasn't particularly strong in their Computer/Information Science department so my perception of what was possible in that field was largely informed by what I saw on TV and what was told to me. We're often told that if you're in computing, you must be brilliant at math or super introverted. WICC was the most wonderful disruption of all these stereotypes. That's why when I was introduced to WICC, I was quite literally in shock. They showed me that computing only expands your creativity and knowledge of the world. Through workshops and mentorships, I've been able to connect with myself on a deeper level. I've investigated what I truly want and how information science can get me there. Computing and Information Science gave me freedom which I think is something we profoundly want as human beings. I hope through community discussion, we can have a conversation about expanding our perception of what is possible. I want to investigate what makes people hesitant about entering computing spaces and how we can break those barriers. I want to collectively reflect on what is important to us and how computing and information science can facilitate or embody those values and goals. Hopefully together, we can give ourselves the permission to be free.
Community Discussions Co-Director
Before first semester my freshman year, I had very little idea of what computer science entailed. I had convinced myself that computer science, even engineering in general, was just not for me. Upon reflection, I believe this assumption can be attributed to the lack of female representation in tech and my personal lack of exposure to the field. I enrolled in CS 1110 on a whim and found that it challenged my logical and analytical thinking skills in ways I had been craving for years. My affinity for the subject convinced me to switch my major to CS later that year, which is also when I began attending WICC events. I did not have to look far for the guidance I sought; WICC is full of caring, supportive, and incredibly talented women, many of whom related to my experiences. I hope, as Co-Director of Community Discussions, to foster inclusive discussions that validate our struggles as women in tech and ideate actionable initiatives to promote our confidence and success.
Mentorship Co-Director
Before I came to Cornell, I didn't know much about computer science. I've always loved math and problem-solving, and while I had many interests in high school, coding was not one of them since my school didn't offer many CS classes. As a prospective math major though, I decided to try a computer science class (CS 1110) my first semester at college and within days I was completely hooked. I love the challenge of writing a program, fixing the bugs, and (usually after many long but rewarding hours) making it run successfully. It's like solving a puzzle, super frustrating at times, but really gratifying in the end. I'm so glad that I discovered CS at Cornell, and as Mentorship Co-Director of WICC, I hope to encourage and promote other women at Cornell by providing them with support networks and fostering meaningful relationships within the CIS community at school and beyond.
Mentorship Co-Director
I've always been a very curious person! I love learning about how the world works and understanding things around me. Computer science and biomedical engineering offer me the chance to solve real world problems and design solutions that truly make a difference. To me, computer science represents a way to process information and create practical technological applications; the possibilities are truly endless! I love WICC's amazing community that supports women in computer science and encourages them to pursue their dreams in tech fields. I'm so excited to be Mentorship Co-Director to help others connect and share advice on navigating the world of computer science!
Vice President, Brand
I knew that computer science was a field I wanted more of when I programmed a unicorn to paint rainbows all over my computer screen my freshman year of high school. From then onward, so many people have supported my interests in tech, and I now want provide the same support for my classmates through WICC! Tech is the future, and I hope that through WICC, everyone can have a chance to build a better world.
Publicity Director
The first time I saw snow was on my computer screen - not at Cornell's latest snowstorm - in my home in the Philippines. When I was 11, my life aspiration was to run the best blog on Tumblr, but in order to do so, I believed I needed 300 pixel snowflake graphics that would dazzle and fall down from the top of my browser. Coding was an obstacle to my goal because I didn't comprehend the language of HTML/CSS which would've enabled me to do such for my own website. Four years later, I rediscovered coding as a creative platform for me to entertain my imaginations and dreams of developing applications I hope will one day improve people's lives. I'm thrilled that in WICC, I'm able to learn alongside driven, like-minded individuals who cultivate a supportive community to empower women in tech.
Design Co-Director
Growing up, I always thought computer science was for geniuses who sat alone in front of a screen all day. I immediately dismissed it as intimidating and boring. I told myself it wasn't for me. But when I was first exposed to programming - in the form of playing with Lego robots - I fell in love with the way coding made me feel, how it challenged me to be creative and left me with a comforting sense of satisfaction. I began to realize that computer science had nothing to do with having a natural gift and everything to do with having an eagerness to learn and think in new ways. Since joining WICC, I have found a community of support and encouragement that have pushed me along the way. As Design Co-Director, I hope to expand WICC's presence and reach through design and spread the same support and encouragement to others pursuing their interests in tech. I'm so proud to join a community of stakeholders who are empowered to have a positive impact on the world of tech.
Design Co-Director
I've played around with programming since I was a middle schooler making video game mods, but it wasn't until late high school that I started seriously considering computer science as a career. I love how studying computer science pushes me to be creative with finding solutions for real world issues. I joined WICC because WICC provides a friendly and supportive space for women in CIS to collaborate, to make friends with similar interests, and to help each other grow intellectually. I hope to help bring our community together and make our events more accessible through design.
Technical Director
Ever since I was little, I was always fascinated by computers and spent hours playing games on them. However, as I grew older, I hardly saw computing as a career option given the lack of representation of women in the field. It wasn't until I joined a program in high school meant to attract girls into technology and engineering that I realized how great I would be at it. Now that I'm studying CS here at Cornell, I want to help other women also realize how awesome this career path could be for them and I am extremely grateful for an organization like WICC to exist and allow me to do this!
Photography Director
Despite growing up in Silicon Valley, I didn't take a CS course until I came to college. As much as I enjoyed my first CS class, I started off my college CS career feeling like I was falling behind other CS majors I knew who had taken CS in high school, and feeling that I would never know as much as they did about CS. It was through the community in WICC that I started to feel that I belonged in CS, from participating in the mentorship program and meeting upperclassmen who had once felt the same as I did but had persisted and succeeded as a student in CS, to Lunch Bunch where I learned about the different career possibilities that CS could lead to. I hope that being a part of WICC board will allow me to inspire and empower other women who are unsure when starting out their CIS career, and to create a supportive community for anyone interested in tech.
Co-President
Growing up, I discovered a love for experimentation and innovation. I always thought I'd become a scientist, but still didn't know what exactly I wanted to study or do in my lifetime. I had interests in Technology, Biology, Astronomy, Politics, French....so many things! But it wasn't until I came to Cornell as a "Computer Science but I'm not too sure"-major that things fell into place. Coding, whether it was in a class, hackathon, or lab, gave me a sense of satisfaction and creativity - a way to impact any element of society at the touch of my fingertips. With crucial applications spanning nearly every field, I quickly came to realize that CS was the perfect combination of the experimentation and discovery that I always yearned for as a child. Ever since I joined WICC when I came to Cornell, I have been constantly inspired and refreshed by the WICC community and events. The fun and caring environment that WICC created for me spurred my enthusiasm and interest in CS, and I want to do everything I can to make others feel the same way as part of E-Board.
Co-President
I've enjoyed solving puzzles since a very young age, and my love for problem-solving has translated into my pursuit of CS. What excites me most about CS is that it's a never-ending journey of growth and learning. I strove to share my excitement for CS with girls through WICC's Girls Who Code program. I was inspired as I witnessed the future women in tech build confidence in their technical abilities; I believe that everyone deserves to feel comfortable in tech, and for me, WICC has been a critical support network encouraging my pursuit of CS. I have found sincere mentors and friends, just from randomly reaching out to strangers and asking about some of their past experiences. I'm humbled to be a leader in this intimate network and hope to make computing inclusive for all as Co-President.
Co-Treasurer
I first fell in love with computing when I realized how many different applications it has. As someone who had numerous interests ranging from biology to economics and no real way to engage them all, I felt like computer science was the perfect direction to go. With code, I can do everything from creating cancer-finding cells using artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to writing a program that creates and plays a playlist. With computer science, I don't have to pick one thing that I want to, but instead, I can do them all. I joined WICC because I want to support anyone and everyone in the CIS Community to pursue all their passions to build meaningful technology and solve real problems.
Co-Treasurer
As a freshman coming into Cornell, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. Sure I had taken AP CS and worked on some robotic projects, but I never really thought of myself as becoming a coder. After I came here though, I got the chance to attend a bunch of WICC talks and meet the members of the WICC community and learn about their experiences and perspectives. All these things made me rethink what it meant to be a coder and proved to me that computer science wouldn't just mean that I would have to sit by myself staring at a screen all day. Instead I could use computer science to do what I want to do, whether it means creating AI or creating models for company data or creating an eye-catching website and get to meet tons of people along the way. WICC helped motivate me and encouraged me to become a better student and a more active member in the CS community and definitely benefited me both academically and socially. I hope that I can help encourage others in Cornell to be a part of this organization and love it as much as I do!
Secretary
My fingers clicking the keys, my mind in a trance, and my eyes scanning the code... that's when my head and heart work in harmony. Computer Science has been my star subject since middle school, where I was first introduced to simple programs. Programming challenges me to think logically and rationally about a situation, and even if it gets challenging I do not lose my interest. This passion is becoming more and more intense with my recent exposure to Computing related studies and workshops at Cornell University, and I am very grateful for the experience. I would like to give back to my society and provide opportunities for others to better realize their dreams in STEM fields. As the Secretary of WICC Board, I have a wonderful chance to work in collaboration and reach out to the community. I am really excited to expose the dynamic and ever-evolving field of computing and technology to more women!
Corporate Relations Co-Director
Up until my junior year of high school, I didn't even consider computer science as a major. But after writing my first program -- the "Hello World" program -- I realized that CS was perfect for me. The problem solving aspect of CS and its versatility in being able to apply in various different fields is something that I continue to be amazed by everyday. I joined WICC last year and it has allowed me to explore CS in so many ways and connect with other incredible women in an inclusive and welcoming way. As representatives co-director, I can not wait to contribute to this community and help students be exposed to the world of computing.
Corporate Relations Co-Director
Because my high school was separated into academies, I happened to choose computer science as my program to study for four years. Learning programming was a completely new experience to me back then, so at first I found it difficult to think in such a different way. However, as I began to understand more of the various applications and potential of programming, I realized my passion for computer science. Although I was intimidated as being only one of the four girls in a program of twenty, I met with so many powerful women with different backgrounds during my senior year internship at Morgan Stanley. Their determination to apply their programming skills in different areas inspired me to pursue a career in technology. Now as a member of WICC, I want to expose others to the diversity of the field and hope to expand the CIS community involving other disciplines.