Grace Hopper Conference

Grace Hopper Conference 2023

Our team from Bowie State University's Women in Computer Science (WICS) had the privilege of attending the Grace Hopper Conference, and it was a transformative experience for us. The Grace Hopper Conference is an event of paramount importance as it provides a unique platform for women in technology to come together, share their experiences, and inspire each other. During our time at the conference, we had the opportunity to connect with remarkable individuals in the field, participate in enlightening workshops, and attend enlightening sessions that deepened our understanding of various facets of computer science. The conference not only broadened our knowledge but also instilled in us a sense of belonging and empowerment as women in a male-dominated industry. Reflecting on our participation, we are immensely grateful for the chance to be part of this supportive community and for the invaluable insights and connections we gained, which will continue to shape our careers in the tech world.

Watch our send off video made my the Bulldog production team! Listen to Rosemary Shumba the chair of the computer science department speak on the experience from last year and what's to come. As well as Ashanit Boone and Busolami Adara the co chairs of the WICS club speack about their own experiences as women in technology.

Our WICS had an amazing experience attending GHC 2023, and will continure to do so each year. Below is a snippet from Dawn Marshall who got an internship offer from the event.

"I’m extremely excited about getting the Cyber Intern role from Northrop Grumman. I was surprised that I got an interview on the spot. I talked to several government agencies my first day at the expo. I talked to NSA, NIST, the FBI, CIA, and a few others. I didn’t expect to receive much information since most things are classified and they can only reveal but so much. There’s also a long clearance process most times. So, when I received an interview from NG the following day, it sort of shocked me since they do government contracting as well. But I can definitely say that I look forward to gaining more hands-on cybersecurity experience next summer and I am very grateful. "

- Dawn Marshall

Below are more experiences from other attendees.

Bowie WICS Experiences!

Sep 30

Chenilyn Espineda

Did you attend any inspiring sessions or talks at GHC?                                                      It was amazing to listen to the powerful women at the keynotes and to be surrounded with so much great talent. What inspired me the most was listening to Dr. Joy Buolamwini discuss about AI and how we can make these technologies better to transform lives. This has broaden my interest in exploring the world of AI.

Sep 31

Nicole Balay

What made your time at GHC unique?                                                      What made the grace hopper celebration for me was the BSU wics i traveled with. such amazing, supportive women to be around and as this is my first semester at bowie, i really appreciated the opportunity to bond, collaborate, and share experiences with other women in the computer science department.

Sep 31

Busolami Adara

How was your time at Grace Hopper?                                                       At the Grace Hopper Conference, I had the privilege of being a part of a tribe of brilliant and ambitious women in computer science. The empowering atmosphere, the inspiring speakers, and the networking opportunities have fueled my passion and determination to excel in this field. I'm grateful to have such a privilege and look forward to implementing the various things learned and maintaining the networks created 

Sep 30

Ashanti Boone

How was your time at GHC?                                                     Grace Hopper was an incredible journey, where I had the privilege to connect with brilliant women in the field, from the CIO of the US to fellow university students exploring fascinating research topics. The experience of attending inspiring lectures and bonding with my BSU WiCS family allowed me to delve deeper into the aspirations that drive us all.

Sep 29

Dayana Ferrufino

How did GHC impact your view on the technology space as a hispanic woman?                                                       GHC, as a Hispanic woman, gave me a fresh outlook on the tech world. It connected me with fellow Latina women, and I learned a lot about thriving in the industry and finding my place in it.