Celebrating Women in STEAM

Assistant Dean Jennifer Goodall, left, leads a five-day conference honoring Grace Hopper (right) and celebrating women in STEAM. (Goodall photo by Paul Miller)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 20, 2018) – Computer programmer and inventor Grace Brewster Murray Hopper was a pioneer in her field, and a role model for women technologists. A celebration in her name will inspire hundreds of students and community members on campus next week.

The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) is sponsoring the inaugural “State of Grace,” a five-day conference to celebrate women in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM). It will offer students numerous opportunities to network with employers, polish their resumes and interview skills, and participate in a number of workshops on campus.

A spinoff of the national “Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing,” the conference is open to all students, faculty, staff and local professionals.

CEHC Assistant Dean Jennifer Goodall said a colleague organized a similar event at Mount Holyoke College, which sparked the idea for her to bring it to UAlbany’s campus. Though promoted as a celebration of women in technology, Goodall believes support from male professionals is just as important.

“It's not just for women. Lack of gender diversity affects everyone, especially men, who need to be part of the solution,” she said, in an interview with NY Tech Loop.

Full list of events:

Monday, Sept. 24

• How to work with a recruiter led by Susan Lundberg, Capital Tech Search (11 a.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Career Panel moderated by Lisa Trubitt, UAlbany ITS (12 p.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Speed networking with ITS & Industry Professionals (1 p.m., Campus Center Boardroom)

Tuesday, Sept. 25

• Male Allies & Advocates: Being part of a highly inclusive environment led by George Berg, CEHC (11 a.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Grad School Panel moderated by Carol Anne Germain, University Libraries (12 p.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Imposter Syndrome Workshop led by Cathy Parker, University at Albany Career & Professional Development (1 p.m., Campus Center Boardroom)

Wednesday, Sept. 26

• Keynote Speakers: The Future as We See It (9 a.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Panel to discuss keynote (10:30 a.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Emergency Managers Panel moderated by Samantha Phillips, National Center for Security and Preparedness (11 a.m., Campus Center Boardroom)
• Mentoring roundtable with Emergency Managers (12 p.m., Campus Center Boardroom)

Thursday, Sept. 27

• Can You Pitch? (Small fountain in front of Campus Center)

Friday, Sept. 28

• CEHC MakerSpace Launch Party (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Draper Hall, Room 022)

CEHC’s “State of Grace” partners include the Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD), Information Technology Services, the National Center for Security and Preparedness, Girls Scouts of Northeast New York, NY TechLoop, Blackstone LaunchPad and the student chapter of ASIS&T.

Interested in attending? You are encouraged to register here.

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