SAINT PAUL, Minn.—February 21, 2024—A $640,000 grant from the Center for Inclusive Computing (CIC) at Northeastern University is enabling Metro State University to increase degree completion for women enrolled in its undergraduate computer science program.
According to the National Science Foundation, in 2022, just 20% of computer science degrees in the U.S. went to women. At Metro State, that figure is currently 26.5%, up from the national average but still far below an equitable male to female ratio. Now, with the CIC funding in hand, Metro State computer science instructors are embarking on efforts modify the school’s current computer science curriculum and course structure and provide student tutors within the courses themselves.
“If we can make our computer science program more approachable and positive class results more achievable, we can provide a better overall Metro State experience to our female students,” said Kyle Swanson, dean of Metro State University’s College of Sciences, adding, “Our goal is to ensure women are not only full represented in our computer science major but that they have the tools to thrive in the program and then go on to make meaningful contributions in the field of technology computing.”
Already, Metro State University is well known for its Office of Equity and Inclusion and its leading efforts to operationalize equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles to improve student success. Through its Women's Support Services, Metro State provides resources and advocacy to address concerns that keep women from being successful both academically and personally. The work supported by the CIC grant is example of the Women’s Support Services in action.
Metro State anticipates introducing its revised computer science curriculum and course structure in Fall 2024. In the interim, the university is implementing extra academic support for students, including embedded tutors.
About Metro State University
Founded in 1971, Metro State University, a member of Minnesota State, is the Twin Cities’ public, urban, comprehensive state university providing lifelong learning and competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and more than 25 graduate degrees. Metro State ranks 22nd in the nation and first in Minnesota on CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index, which measures colleges’ and universities’ success in elevating students from low-income strata into the middle class within five years of graduation. To learn more, visit metrostate.edu.
About Northeastern University’s Center for Inclusive Computing
Founded in 2019, the Center for Inclusive Computing at Northeastern University partners with colleges and universities to materially increase the representation of women computing graduates. These partnerships focus on addressing and removing the institutional barriers that exclude women of all races and ethnicities from discovering and thriving in computing programs. To learn more, visit cic.northeastern.edu.
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Patty Gibbs
For Metro State University
651.269.7687