Sydney O

Culminating Reflection

• ACM-W: Association of Computing Machinery- Women’s chapter: ACM-W is an organization dedicated to increasing the recruitment and retention of women in computing at UC. Women make up about 10% of the computing field nationally, and even less at UC. ACM-W exists to help bridge this gap and support women pursuing the field.

• Why I joined ACM-W and what I do: As one of the only women in computer engineering, I wanted to find a community and give back to help future women navigate the male-dominated field. I now serve as president and hold workshops, discussions, community service events, and conferences to support women at UC.

• What I learned from the UHP Roundtable: The UHP Roundtable helped me identify the best ways to keep engagement and community strong amongst members during these difficult times. I got some great tips about recruitment, mentorship, and effective leadership from some other amazing leaders on campus. One of the most important parts of ACM-W is facilitating meaningful dialogue and building connections. I was worried about how to do this effectively during a virtual semester, but the UHP Roundtable was a huge help.