Michigan Council Of Women In Technology Foundation

THE MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY (MCWT) FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND GROW WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY. OUR VISION IS TO MAKE MICHIGAN THE NO. 1 STATE FOR WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY. THE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF GENDER DISPARITY IN THE FIELD. KEY ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE AND SUPPORT WOMEN IN IT INCLUDE PROGRAMMING, NETWORKING, LEARNING, MENTORING, AND EXPOSURE TO TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS FOR FEMALE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS.

MCWT UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS GUIDE, RETAIN, AND SUPPORT YOUNG WOMEN WITH AN INTEREST, APTITUDE, AND POTENTIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN TECHNOLOGY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE SCHOLARSHIPS, MENTORING AND INTERNSHIP SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AS THEY PROGRESS ALONG THEIR EDUCATIONAL STUDIES AND BEGIN TO SEARCH FOR ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCES. THESE PROGRAMS IMPACTED OVER 72 WOMEN ACROSS MICHIGAN IN 2021.

MCWT HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS BUILD ON THE INTEREST OF GIRLS WITH PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE THEIR INTEREST AND SKILL. AMONG THESE PROGRAMS ARE THE GET-IT CONNECTION SUMMIT (A SINGLE DAY EVENT TO EXPOSE THEM TO TECH CAREER AND STUDY OPTIONS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN); GET-IT CLUBS (WEEKLY TECHNOLOGY CLUBS TO BUILD SKILLS AND INCREASE CONFIDENCE); FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF ALL FEMALE ROBOTICS TEAMS ENTERING COMPETITIONS; VIRTUAL SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM (WEEK-LONG ONLINE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM); AND A WEBSITE DESIGN COMPETITION, CHALLENGING GIRLS TO CREATE REAL WEBSITES USING THE CODING SKILLS THEY HAVE DEVELOPED. THESE PROGRAMS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 277 GIRLS ACROSS MICHIGAN IN 2021.

K-8 PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE INTEREST OF GIRLS ENTERING THEIR FORMATIVE EARLY YEARS. THESE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 457 GIRLS ACROSS MICHIGAN IN 2021. AMONG THESE PROGRAMS ARE VIRTUAL SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM (WEEK-LONG ONLINE SUMMER TECHNOLOGY CAMP); GET-IT CLUBS (WEEKLY TECHNOLOGY CLUBS TO BUILD SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE); GIRLS SOLVE IT (A PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM COMPETITION IN WHICH GIRLS PROGRAM ROBOTS THROUGH SEVERAL INCREASINGLY COMPLEX MISSIONS); A WEBSITE DESIGN COMPETITION, CHALLENGING GIRLS TO CREATE REAL WEBSITES USING THE CODING SKILLS THEY HAVE DEVELOPED; FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF ALL-FEMALE ROBOTICS TEAMS ENTERING COMPETITIONS; AND GIRLS ROCK IT, ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS THAT ENABLE GIRL SCOUTS TO EXPLORE TECHNOLOGY WHILE EARNING BADGES.

MCWT FOUNDATION PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MENTORING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO WOMEN IN TECH CAREERS THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR EXECUTIVE CONNECTION SUMMIT (ECS), CONNECTNET SESSIONS, LUNCH AND LEARN SESSIONS, AND MENTORING PROGRAMS WHERE WOMEN IN THEIR EARLY OR MID CAREERS ARE MATCHED WITH MORE SENIOR TECH LEADERS. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS WERE DELIVERED VIRTUALLY IN 2021. THESE CAREER PROGRAMS IMPACTED OVER 2,151 PEOPLE IN 2021.