SAN FRANCISCO (June 21, 2011) – Dedicated to making
computer science fun and accessible young women, especially would-be
first-generation college students, the
University of San Francisco (USF) is proud to host the 2011 Summer Enrichment
Program, a computer science camp for Bay Area high school girls. From June
27-July 1, 20 young women from public high schools across the bay will converge
at USF for this five-day camp run by the university’s Computer Science
Department.
Now in
its seventh year, the program is designed to introduce high school-aged girls
to the opportunities available to them in the field of computer science. The
schedule of events will emphasize hands-on activities such as working on an
Android app, developing a clothing program that matches style and colors, and
taking apart computers. Participating students will hear from Teresa Win, a USF
alumnus and prominent woman in the field of computer science, and will travel
on a field trip to Google headquarters in Mountain View. To show the real
working environment of an IT company, students will tour Google, learn about
the cool things they are working on, and have lunch there.
“Computer Science is historically a field with low numbers of women,
especially women of color,” said
Eunjin
“EJ” Jung, assistant professor of computer science at USF. “We are committed to
providing these girls with an enjoyable and interactive week of hands-on
activities that will hopefully spark their interest in technology. This
enrichment program allows us to connect young women with the fascinating world
of computer science even before they start thinking about what they’d like to
study in college.”
Lack of funds and access to these types of enrichment programs tend to
be the main challenges preventing young girls from getting involved. Not
wanting money to be the roadblock, Professor Jung applied for and received a
Jesuit Foundation grant that will cover the cost for anyone unable to afford
the $40 application fee. She also partnered with USF Upward Bound so that nine
of the 20 participants are Upward Bound students. “While other universities may
offer camps, we made sure the USF Summer Enrichment Program is affordable to
participants, and that financial hardships wouldn’t hold anyone back.”
About
USF
Established in 1855, USF is San Francisco’s
oldest university and is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically
diverse universities in the country. The University of San Francisco is
committed to being a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global
perspective that educates leaders who will fashion a more humane and just
world. With nearly 9,600 students enrolled both on- and off-campus, the
university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the
knowledge and skills needed to succeed as persons and professionals, and the
values and sensitivity necessary to be men and women for others. For more
information about the University of San Francisco, please visit www.usfca.edu.
