To aid Reboot Representation in attaining their goal to double the participation of Black, Latinx, and Native American women in computing by 2025, a comprehensive approach was designed to support MDC women through the 2-year to 4-year pathway to a bachelor’s degree in computing. Leveraging evidence-based practices, this program provides community, access, support, and role models.
Selected participants will receive support for four (3) academic years starting Fall 2021 term.
Educational supports include:
Science & Math fast track courses for AA in CS scholars
Emerging technology
(EmTech) bootcamps
Technical interview preparation
Academic mentorship
Paid summer research opportunities (REU) at FIU
Paid summer internships
Summer bridge program at FIU
Women in Tech Speaker Series - Tech Up Space
Women Empowerment workshop – #IamRemarkable
LIFT program graduation ceremony
Eligibility
Be a full-time student at MDC
Must be a freshman (earned less than 30 credits) in an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Computer Science OR a senior (earned more than 70 credits) in a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in technology (cybersecurity, data analytics, or information systems technology) at MDC upon admittance to the LIFT program
Have a cumulative MDC GPA of 3.0 or higher
Completed or currently enrolled in College Algebra (MAC1105)
benefits
Receive semester scholarships or stipends up to ($3,000) based on merit and financial need
Conduct research during summer (paid stipend and limited spaces)
Participate in summer internship (paid stipend and limited spaces)
Dedicated mentoring
Activities and courses to prepare for success in computing career and transfer to FIU
Year-long speaker series (Tech Up Space)
Tech community engagement - networking, interviews, and more with industry professionals
Dr. Billionniere holds a doctoral degree in computer science from Arizona State University, a master's degree in higher and postsecondary education with a concentration in leadership from Arizona State University, and a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Montana. She teaches programming (Python and Java), cloud (database), information management (MIS) courses. With professional experiences in web application development, software engineering, quality assurance, data analytics, and cloud computing, Dr. Billionniere aims to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups. She was awarded the 2021 Northern Trust Bank of Florida Endowed Teaching Chair, 2019 Educational Leadership- College-Level Promotion Education by the Women of Color STEM, 2018 South Florida’s Top Black Educator, and Phoenix’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2011.
The Reboot Representation Tech Coalition is a partnership of leading tech companies that have come together to multiply their impact, align their agendas, and pool their resources to address the gender gap for underrepresented women of color in tech. The Coalition’s first major undertaking will be a three-year push focused on doubling the number of Black, Latina, and Native American women receiving computing bachelor’s degrees in the US by 2025. Without this effort, the number of underrepresented women of color receiving computing degrees would not double until 2052, which carries with it a high cost for the sector and society. The Reboot Representation Tech Coalition was founded with the support of Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company started by Melinda Gates, and is housed at NEO Philanthropy.