Anthony King appointed DEI advocate for LSA Technology Services
As newly elected DEI advocate, Anthony King will examine issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion that impact the work of LSA Technology Services.
Tag Archives: DEI
Digital accessibility team to introduce new SPG, tools, & training
Accessibility is a priority at the University of Michigan and in Information and Technology Services (ITS). Becoming more accessible as an institution will mean a fundamental shift in approach to how we plan, design, develop, create, and instruct.
U-M awarded WHPC chapter
The University of Michigan has been recognized as one of the first Chapters in the new Women in High Performance Computing (WHPC) Pilot Program. “The WHPC Chapter Pilot will enable us to reach an ever-increasing community of women, provide these women with the networks that we recognize are essential for them excelling in their career, and retaining them… Read More »
U-M prof works with nonprofit to teach girls to code
Robin Brewer, an assistant professor in the U-M School of Information, leads an effort to introduce high school girls to technology through workshops that encourage them to create social impact through coding. Brave Initiatives, a Chicago-based non-profit, started offering weekend workshops in January, 2018 to young women at Hamtramck High School in Detroit. Brewer leads up this Detroit chapter… Read More »
U-M NCID: Changing STEM to encourage minority students
The National Center for Institutional Diversity is taking a multi-pronged approach through research and scholarship to increase underrepresented minority students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The NCID, which is housed in LSA, is leading this effort because STEM fields remain mostly homogenous despite programs designed to support students of underrepresented minorities. The center is creating… Read More »
ITS hosts summer interns from Wolverine Pathways program
Wolverine Pathways is an academic program that began in 2015. Up to 60 6th grade and 9th grade students are selected from Detroit, Southfield Public, or Ypsilanti Community school districts. Once these students are admitted into the program, they participate in fall, winter, and summer sessions each year through their senior year of high school. The program offers… Read More »
Profiles in IT: Melissa Thurber—project manager, customer advocate
Melissa Thurber, was recently interviewed about her work on the Software Delivery Team. The Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) project manager began her career in IT working in the digital marketing space. Thurber understands what customers are looking for, making her contributions to healthcare IT all the more impactful. Tell us about your role and responsibilities. I… Read More »
Report finds sexual harassment policies in academia lacking
Lilia M. Cortina, Timothy R.B. Johnson, and Anna Kirkland are U-M professors who participated on a 21-person committee to change the culture around sexual harassment policies in academia. The report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine finds that academic institutions can do more to prevent sexual harassment, especially in historically male-dominated STEM fields. According to… Read More »
$783k raised to support gaming outreach to Mott, others
More than 1,500 gamers from all over the world participated in person and online in a momentous weekend fundraising event held at the EMU Convocation Center in April. Their purpose: raise money to provide entertainment devices for kids at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and other hospitalized children across the United States. The event was hosted by Gamers for… Read More »
Tackling the gender gap in innovation
In recognition of World Intellectual Property Day, the U-M Office of Tech Transfer recently recognized the achievements of U-M faculty and researchers, who, since 2011, have been responsible for more than 900 patents—laying the groundwork for dozens of products, services and startup companies that are already contributing toward the betterment of society. Following the lead of the World… Read More »
Leaders in the limelight: Laurel Barnes
Laurel Barnes, senior manager of the HITS Learning Management team, was recently interviewed by Learning Solutions Magazine about her career in technology and experience supporting large-scale change at U-M. Read the full interview.
Women in IT CoP helps make Hour of Code a success
Because of the exceptional efforts of the Women in IT Community of Practice, the University of Michigan, and Thomson Reuters, elementary school students in Ann Arbor Public Schools got an introduction to coding during the 2017 Hour of Code event, November 27–December 8. The result of their combined work: 80 volunteers signed up to support 72 volunteers assigned to… Read More »
Digital Wolverines: The LSA Summer Reads experience
During the summer of 2017, in lieu of a more traditional “summer reads” program, the College of Literature, Science and the Arts launched an experiment in online, interactive, and collaborative explorations of citizenship and diversity in a digital age. Because issues of free speech, safe spaces, inclusion, intellectual diversity, and identity-based marginalization continue to create divisions and challenges… Read More »
U-M, WCC will share programming course
Faculty at the School of Information and Washtenaw Community College will collaborate on an open-source course with the goal of encouraging more students to consider a U-M Bachelor of Science in Information (BSI) degree. The two institutions have teamed up to offer WCC students, particularly those underrepresented in STEM fields, an introductory class in the popular programming language… Read More »
Dearborn receives grant for STEM program for underrepresented youth
University of Michigan-Dearborn has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement a math and science program for underrepresented youth. The Office of Enrollment Management and Student Life (EMSL) recently received a five-year renewable federal grant to implement an Upward Bound Math and Science Program, which encourages high school students to develop their… Read More »
They did it! Women of Michigan IT contribute to world record
On October 14, 2017, more than 3,700 women and girls dressed as the iconic Rosie the Riveter—dark blue work clothes, red socks, and the effervescent, red-and-white polka-dot bandana. Together, they set a new world record of the most people dressed as Rosie the Riveter gathered in one place. Kudos to all Michigan IT staff who participated! Here’s what some… Read More »
Be part of Diversity Summit Week Nov. 6–10
The university’s third annual Diversity Summit is November 6–10, with a number of central and unit-sponsored events. Be sure to attend these activities.
An Hour of Code can change a life
Computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet, but fewer than half of all schools teach computer science. Girls and minorities are severely underrepresented in computer science classes, and in the tech industry. The good news is there are ways to change this situation, and you can help. U-M groups such as the Women in IT Community… Read More »
Hidden Figures: When the Computer Wore a Skirt
The exhibit “Hidden Figures: When the Computer Wore a Skirt: NASA’s Human Computers” will run November 11–25, 2017 in the Duderstadt Gallery on North Campus. This exhibit also features: “Hidden Figures of Michigan: Women in Engineering and the Sciences.” The Exhibit Opening Reception will be held on Wednesday, November 15 from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm in the… Read More »
Digital tools for underserved job seekers
As more employers turn to sites like LinkedIn and CareerBuilder to recruit talent, job seekers from low-income areas or who have limited education often are left out. Tawanna Dillahunt, assistant professor at the U-M School of Information and College of Engineering, hopes to change that. Dillahunt has received a $499,729 National Science Foundation grant to help improve digital employment… Read More »