Programs
CMD-IT Programs
CMD-IT programs are consistent with both aspects of our mission, to ensure that under-represented groups are fully engaged in computing and promote innovation that enriches these communities, to contribute to an effective workforce. The workforce includes academia, industry, government agencies, and non-profits.
Our Programing Focus
All of our programs focus on the following under-represented groups: African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and People with Disabilities.
Current Programs
Academic Career Workshop
It is well known that mentoring activities are critical for successful promotions in the professoriate. Such activities are especially needed for ethnic minorities and people with disabilities in the field of computing, where the number at a given institution is usually very small. The goal of the workshop is to mentor under-represented assistant- and associate-level faculty and senior doctoral students about the academic career ladder.
Diversifying Future Leadership in the Professoriate (FLIP) Alliance
The goal of the NSF-funded FLIP (Diversifying Future Leadership in the Professoriate) Alliance is to address the broadening participation challenge of increasing the diversity of the future leadership in the professoriate in computing at research universities as a way to achieve diversity across the field. In particular, the problem that we address is stark and straightforward: only 4.3% of the current tenure-track faculty in computing at these universities are from underrepresented groups.
CMD-IT University Award for Retention of Minorities and Students with Disabilities in Computer Science
The CMD-IT University Award recognizes US institutions that have demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing the computer science baccalaureate degree production of minorities and students with disabilities, through effective retention programs.
Student Professional Development Workshop
Student Professional Develop Workshops provide undergraduate and masters level computer science students with the unique opportunity to receive coaching and development from Industry professionals.
Innovation Solutions Challenge
The Innovation Solutions Challenge provides an opportunity for participants to tackle real-world problems with technology and engage with industry technical professionals to collaborate and seek advice on innovative approaches to solutions.
Graduate School Fair
Our Graduate School Fair is unique as we aim to encourage more students and professionals to pursue graduate degrees in Computer Science, Information Science, IT and other Computing disciplines.
The Tapia Conference
ACM Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing
CMD-IT presents The Tapia Conference, created to bring together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Conference Goals
Celebrate the diversity that exists in computing
Connect with others with common backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, and gender so as to create communities that extend beyond the conference
Obtain advice from and make contacts with computing leaders in academia and industry
Be inspired by great presentations and conversations with leaders with common backgrounds