August marks the second year anniversary of Women in Technology at UCI! We’ve come a long way from where we started thanks to the efforts and support of our creative staff, sponsors, and members. Some notable milestones within WiT’s second year include:
LEAP
Women in Tech successfully launched the LEAP Certificate Program: Leadership, Equality, Allies & Presence. We celebrated the graduation of the program’s inaugural spring cohort in May with positive reviews. Business Systems Analyst Lakshmi Arunachalam from UCI’s Library IT team shares, “The LEAP program sessions were not only very informative and interesting but also interactive and eye-opening.” Arunachalam explains, “I am more positive and confident after attending these sessions. I’m a better leader because of the LEAP program and it is empowering! I am grateful to be a part of the LEAP program and found it to be an enjoyable and valuable experience.” In collaboration with the Merage School of Business team and Stacey Rose, Assistant Director of Enterprise Infrastructure division in the Office of Information Technology, LEAP was established to create a space for women to develop and grow their skills as leaders and innovators to make a lasting impact in the workplace. Our fall 2022 cohort is ready to begin in September 2022.
WITIN
A group of highly respected UCI LEAP alumni created the Women in Tech Inclusive Networking (WITIN) program to foster an inclusive networking community for anyone identifying as a woman pursuing a technology role at UCI and their allies. This was made possible through organizers Carolina Manel, Lakshmi Arunachalam, Regina Castleman, and Srilatha Adurthi. Scheduled to kick off on August 18, 2022, this is just the beginning of what will be a fruitful and inclusive network.
WiT@UCI Website
The Women in Tech Website has received a new and improved design, thanks to web content architect and user experience developer Sylvia Bass. We encourage our supporters to utilize this website to access the latest news, programs, and opportunities.
WiT@UCI Advisory Board
WiT@UCI Advisory Board plays a key role in guiding WiT@UCI and program development. As we move forward, we announce with mixed feelings the departure of April Sather and Angela Han, two of our founding members. April has accepted a role at the UC Office of the President Information Technology Services (UCOP ITS) as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). We appreciate Angela’s dedication and contributions. With great excitement, we are pleased to welcome in two new advisory board members: Kati Bell, the Deputy Chief Global Affairs Officer for the Global Engagement Office at UCI, and Julie Eastman, Associate Chief Information Officer at UCI Health. Congratulations to April, and a warm welcome to Kati & Julie!
WiT@UCI organization continues to grow and thrive. We are thrilled about the commitment and support our community at UCI has shown in building a more inclusive environment for women in IT at UCI.
Shohreh Bozorgmehri
Women in Technology @ UCI Advisory Board Chair