Women Connect at Regional Computing Conference

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James Madison University (JMU) computer science faculty and staff on February 27-28 hosted the Capital Regional Celebration of Women in Computing (CAPWIC) conference. CAPWIC is a two-day conference for women who want to learn more about the computing field and network with other like-minded women. 

“There’s a particular problem in computer science,” says Nancy Harris, a computer science lecturer who served as conference co-chair. “It’s a predominately male field. Events like [CAPWIC] are designed to connect women and create a community to support them.”

Undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, and working professionals attended the event. The conference included informational sessions and discussions, social events, and a career fair. Professionals and students led discussions on a variety of topics such as technology, diversity in the industry, and career advice.

“At all these events, the young women are able to talk to people at all different levels of computer science,” said Harris. “The young women can see a path forward, see how computing is fun and relevant to them.”

Rachel Malkin, a JMU senior pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in computer information systems, presented a research proposal at the conference. Her proposal focused on how to monitor and regulate Net Neutrality, the principle that Internet service providers should treat all data equally without favoring particular products or websites.

Although the computing field is predominately male, Malkin doesn’t find being a woman in the field particularly challenging.

“It’s true that there are fewer women than men in the computing field, however that just makes you shine brighter because you’re the diamond in the rough,” she said.

Malkin was one of eight women to present posters at the event, and the only one representing JMU.

“CAPWIC was a great opportunity to network and learn about the successes of women in technology, and also to see the many options that are available,” said Malkin.

This is the first time JMU hosted the event and, according to Harris, the university did an awesome job. “JMU welcomed CAPWIC; organizing events is fairly easy and seems to be part of the culture here.”

About 147 women attended CAPWIC. Harris sees the conference growing in the future, but not too much.

“We would like to keep the conference small and intimate in order to emphasize personal connectedness,” said Harris. “If we keep CAPWIC around 200 attendees, it is enough to get the attention of students and sponsors and remain an annual event.”

The personal nature of the conference is evident in the event’s icebreakers, socials, and luncheons. The conference committee hopes to foster networking and encourage interaction between the women.

“This is a great forum for friends advice and feedback on research for young women,” said Harris.

The conference received major logistic and financial support from AMC-W, Microsoft, Capital One, and Carnegie Mellon University as well as other companies and universities. Committee members came from Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Deep Run High School. 

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Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Last Updated: Thursday, November 2, 2023

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