Program alliances: Creating pathways to success for women of color computing students

This poster draws on data from the NSF-funded Computing Beyond the Double Bind project (CBDB; NSF-CNS 1451341 and NSF-CNS 1240768), which aimed to study the factors of success and persistence of women of color in computing. The CBDB project team studied two NSF Program Alliances, conducting participant observations at alliance conferences, as well as 24 interviews with women of color computing students, faculty, and program leaders. Our study revealed the widely varied and specific ways in which the alliances, either at the conferences, or in their work at students' home institutions, helped women of color computing students persist and succeed in their studies and careers. The findings are in two categories: 1) Building requisite skills and networks, and 2) Meeting emotional needs. “Building requisite skills and networks” refers to the resources and opportunities offered via the alliances that explicitly contributed toward the students' professional growth in computing. This category includes: exposure to leadership skills and responsibilities, exposure to larger networks, receiving CS content knowledge, as well as receiving help in progressing in their career. “Meeting emotional needs” refers to the activities that fulfilled the implicit (emotional and social) interests of the women of color in computing. This category includes: allowing connection of other interests with computing interest, fostering social connections with others like them, boosting confidence, and reaffirming their belonging in field. We conclude with suggestions, based on our findings, for improving the alliances, as well as recommend actions for students, faculty, institutions and funders.