SXU hosts Midwest Women in Computing Conference on Oct. 9 and 10

Conference includes speakers, workshops and student presentations

Chicago (Sept. 29, 2009) Saint Xavier University invites all women in the computing field to the Midwest Women in Computing Conference for special networking and presentation opportunities from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 9 and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. on 10 at the Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

The conference will include distinguished speakers Justine Cassell, Ph.D. from Northwestern University and Yolanda Rankin, Ph.D. from IBM’s Almaden Research Center. Other events include a graduate school panel, career counseling panel and a “Crushing Gender Stereotypes” workshop led by Kimberly McLeod, Program Manager of Leadership Development and Academic Initiatives from the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. Music and food also will be provided.

Students from 25 schools will exhibit more than 50 informational posters and “lightning talk” mini-presentations, with topics ranging from “Computer Accessibility for the Visually Impaired” to “Security and Usability in Mobile and Wearable Computer Devices.”

Alumna Kim Thurmon-Johnson and Claudia Philips, a current Saint Xavier computer studies student, will present their Mobile Computer Laboratory, a project founded in 2008 to bridge the digital gap that exists between those of varying economic stations. The MLC provides basic to advanced computer training skills for Chicagoland inner city residents who do not have regular access to such technology.

Registration is $40 for students and $65 for faculty. Scholarships are available for students to cover registration and travel costs thanks to the generous funding from the Microsoft Corporation and Anita Borg Institute. Priority scholarships will be awarded to students who present posters, lighting talks or discussion groups.

To register for the conference, please visit the Midwest Women in Computing Web site. For more information, please contact Flo Appel at appel@sxu.edu.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Jay Foot
Executive Director of Media Relations
(773) 298-3937 or foot@sxu.edu