Girls Who Code Launches Its First-Ever Program Dedicated To Supporting College-Aged Women In Technology

Program will launch on 30 college campuses, eventually serving the organization’s more than 13,000 college-aged alumni

New York, NY (September 19, 2018) — This fall, Girls Who Code will launch its first-ever program dedicated to supporting college-aged women in computer science: Girls Who Code College Loops.

College Loops, hosted on 30 college campuses across the country to start, are university-level community networks for women in computer science. As a part of the organization’s commitment to increasing diversity in computer science, College Loops will debut at both four-year and two-year institutions — where 50 percent of Hispanic and Black undergraduates are enrolled at the college level.

The organization expects this new initiative to eventually serve its nearly 13,000 college-aged alumni and other college-aged women studying computer science or related fields.

“For the past 6 years, Girls Who Code programs have dramatically expanded the pipeline of young women in computer science,” said Loraya Harrington-Trujillo, Director of Alumni Programs at Girls Who Code. “We’ve given our girls the skills they needed to pursue computer science — and now, with the launch of College Loops, we’re giving them the support they need to succeed in college and thrive in the tech workforce.”

The program will center on 10 challenges, encouraging alumni to connect with women in CS, build community, expand their CS experience, and use community organizing tactics to empower women in CS on college campuses. To further promote retention and success in the field, Girls Who Code College Loops will provide alumni with exclusive opportunities to meet with industry professionals.

According to research from Accenture and Girls Who Code, female undergraduates and young workers say having someone who encourages them plays a significant role in the decision to major in computing. Other studies indicate that women often report feeling that they do not belong in engineering and computing fields. Girls Who Code College Loops are designed to combat this feeling of being left out and left behind by giving women a sisterhood they can rely on.

“It’s been incredible to see our organization grow from 20 high school girls to 90,000, with nearly 13,000 who are college-aged,” said Reshma Saujani, Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. “We need to ensure that these young women are able to thrive in tech – and that comes from feeling like they belong.”

Girls Who Code programs have reached 90,000 girls across the United States in just 6 years. The organization’s alumni are majoring in computer science and related fields at a rate 15 times the U.S. national average. At the current rate of growth, Girls Who Code expects to close the gender gap in entry-level tech jobs in the U.S. by 2027.

The Girls Who Code College Loops program is possible through partnerships with Adobe, Bank of America, Epsilon, Prudential Financial, Walmart, and 21st Century Fox.

###

About Girls Who Code:

Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. With their 7-week Summer Immersion Program, a 2-week specialized Campus Program, after school Clubs, College Loops program and New York Times best-selling series, they are leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st-century opportunities. Girls Who Code has reached over 90,000 girls in all 50 states and several US territories. To join the movement or learn more, visit girlswhocode.com.