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News Release

Last modified: Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Visiting students to forge skills to build K-12 outreach programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 6, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A select group of minority college students from around the nation will convene at Indiana University and learn ways to encourage younger students in their communities to pursue computing careers.

Bring IT On!, sponsored by the Indiana University School of Informatics, brings together computer science students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities for an Oct. 20-22 workshop. The event encourages participants to develop K-12 outreach programs for their institutions while exploring research opportunities in computing for themselves.

One such program created by the Women in Computing at IU -- known as WIC@IU -- is Just Be, which strives to educate youngsters about the true nature of computing and its education and career opportunities. It also helps to dispel common stereotypes about those working in computing fields.

Invited conferees and their institutions are: Reburto Lawson and Chrytsal Boston (Lemoyne-Owen College); Joseph N. Campbell (Lincoln University); Keshia Clark and Jacinta Mba (Spelman College); Tiffany N. Huggins-Richards and Deanna Miller (J.C. Smith University); Andrew Jeff and Samantha Tapp (Lane College).

Also expected to attend are representatives from Wilberforce University, Central State University, Claflin University, Howard University and Jackson State University.

"Participants will get a jump start on establishing a program that meets the needs in their community," said Kay Connelly, assistant professor, who is co-chairing the event with Samantha Foley, a computer science graduate student. "Just Be presenters will be on hand to provide guidance and share their experiences about how to develop, fund, promote and sustain a robust program."

Another goal of the conference is to partner HBCU students with one another and with IU students and faculty.

Among the workshop presenters are: IU Vice President Charlie Nelms, Office of Academic Support and Diversity; Juan Gilbert, associate professor of computer science and engineering, Auburn University; Raquel Hill, IU assistant professor of computer science and informatics; Eden Medina, IU assistant professor of informatics; Christine Ogan, IU professor of journalism and informatics; Katie Siek, assistant professor of computer science, University of Colorado; and Gregory Rawlins, IU associate professor of computer science.

Major funding for the two-day workshop comes from Cisco Systems ($6,000) and the Midwest Crossroads Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate ($5,000).

Bring IT On! co-sponsors include: IU Office of the Vice Provost for Research, IU School of Library and Information Science, University Information Technology Services, IU Office for Womens Affairs, IU Office of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculties, Bloomington Bagel Company, Panera Bread, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems.

The Black Student Union and Black Student Graduate Association at IU also have partnered with WIC@IU to host a social event for conferees and other participants.

More information about Bring IT On! is at www.cs.indiana.edu/bringiton More details about Just Be are at www.cs.indiana.edu/cgi-pub/wic/outreach/index.php.

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