Continuing its strong tradition of celebrating campus women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Farmingdale State College’s (FSC) Supporting Women in Computing club (SWiC) recently hosted its 4th Annual Summer (Re)Orientation in the Campus Center Ballroom and Whitman Hall.  

SWiC, a student chapter of ACM-W, a branch of the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, is led by co-faculty advisors Mary Villani, DPS, and Ilknur Aydin, PhD, both professors of computer systems. Reinstated in 2021, the club works to empower women, minorities, and student talent in the computing industry. 

“It has been a passion project of ours for the past few years,” Villani said of organizing the orientation with Aydin. Villani shared that she believes “impactful initiatives and attention to the cause” can help close the gender disparity seen nationally across computing programs. 

According to a 2018 report from the National Science Board (NSB), women make up only 28% of workers in STEM. Additionally, according to a 2019 study by the Allen Institute, a nonprofit research organization, if national trends continue, computer science will not employ equal numbers of women and men until 2137. 

“We have two goals in mind,” said Villani. “The first is to balance the numbers, but more importantly we want the experience to be positive, inclusive, welcoming, and fun for the women students during their time at FSC. This event gives them a chance to connect with their peers and classmates, to meet faculty, and be introduced to the Supporting Women in Computing club and the excellent opportunities it offers.” 

Sherin Joseph, ’24, a computer science major and SWiC club president, agrees. 

“It can be really daunting when you enter a classroom and you are the only woman in the room,” she said. “So that’s why we have these events, so we can build a community of women in tech studies and foster a feeling of belonging. I think interventions like this, uplifting women, showing that Farmingdale is a supportive place for women’s concerns and their issues. I think we can work our way towards improving the numbers and attaining higher goals for women going into computing programs and graduating.” 

More than 40 incoming and returning students from multiple programs, including computer science (CS), computer programming and information systems (CPIS), security systems (SST), and computer security technology (CST), attended the day-long event which featured a team-building exercise, a scavenger hunt, hands-on technical sessions, faculty and guest speakers, an alumnae panel discussion, beaded SWiC bracelets, and a raffle.  

“It is such a pleasure to see upper-class students attending for the second and third year in a row,” said Aydin. “The positive feedback we’ve received highlights the event’s continued success and impact on our computing programs.” 

“This event is very important to showcase not only the great tech programs that FSC offers but also the wonderful resources that FSC has to offer to its women students to help them grow both personally and professionally,” said Sidra Naru, ’22, FSC web analyst and past SWiC club president. “This event is very near and dear to my heart because it is for a wonderful cause--motivating young women to pursue tech fields which are traditionally male-dominated. It gives me so much pride to see how much bigger and better the event becomes each year,” added Naru, who joined as a staff member volunteer. 

Alumnae Panel 

The orientation culminated with an alumnae panel featuring Ciara Rodriguez, ’21, a front-end developer at FreedomCare; Preethi Krishan, ’17, a programmer at United States Luggage Company; and Angelie “Angie” Ramdial, ’18, a mobile engineer for Care.ai, who shared their career experiences and advice, such as what a typical workday looks like, how their FSC courses have helped them professionally, and how to successfully handle job interviews. 

“It can be a little depressing when you first join into the field,” said Rodriguez, an FSC computer programming and information systems graduate. “Even in my current [role], I am the only woman in programming, and it can be very isolating. But it’s also a source of pride--especially when I got my job, and I started passing harder classes. It really is doable.”  

She encouraged students to take advantage of FSC’s many services such as faculty office hours and The Center for Academic Success & Tutoring (CAST) in Greenly Library. 

“Farmingdale is big on that support system,” she added. “If you put in the time and the work, the professors really want to help you. It’s about homing in on everything the College offers. It’s all here--it really is all here.” 

Student Perspectives 

Ana Garcia, ’25, a computer programing and information systems major, said she found the orientation very reassuring as she heard from her professors and even connected with a new classmate. “I wanted to be more outgoing and get more information on what to expect with my classes,” she said of her goals for attending. “I won’t be too overwhelmed now because I’m a very shy person.” 

Joanna Moran, ’26, a computer programing and information systems major, agreed. “I wanted to meet more women in computer science or information tech,” she said. “So, it’s great to see that there’s more of us. Today gave me confidence that I’m not alone. And I think this event helps, not just me, but many other students who feel that way.”  

To learn more visit FSC's Women in STEM webpage. 

View more photos from the 4th Annual Summer (Re)Orientation on our Flickr Gallery.

 

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