Open any newspaper’s business section and you’ll read about how rapidly the tech sector is growing — reporting faster than average growth in 2024 — but the demographics of tech professionals have remained largely unchanged. Some colleges, like the University of Maryland (UMD), are dedicated to changing that.
The Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C) at UMD is actively creating a more diverse and inclusive tech sector. Launched with a $1 million gift from UMD alumnus Brendan Iribe, founder of Oculus, I4C seeks to break down barriers in computing by increasing the involvement and success of individuals from historically marginalized populations.
In 1965, only 87 college graduates earned a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science. In 2022, that number had increased to more than 108,000.
I4C’s vision is to build a vibrant community of students, educators, and researchers who work together to foster inclusion across intersections of gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and disability status. Their efforts include mentoringstudents from underrepresented groups, collaborating with primary school communities, and offering a safe space for faculty, staff, and students to connect.
I4C supports a variety of programs that engage K-12 and university students alike, including the Creative Computing Program, which introduces computing concepts to elementary and middle school students, and the AI Summer Program, where high school students explore artificial intelligence. I4C also offers workshops for Girl Scouts to earn their Coding for Good, Cybersecurity, and Robotics badges.
Men continue to make up a disproportionate share of computer and information science majors. In 2022, women represented just 22.6% of these majors.
Through partnerships with organizations such as Break Through Tech, I4C is working to increase the number of women graduating with tech degrees by at least 12% by 2026. Their impact extends beyond the university with additional outreach programs, including hackathons like Technica, the world’s largest all-women and non-binary hackathon, and STEM/Robotics workshops.
Nearly every tech occupation reports positive job growth projections. Web and software developers both predict strong expansion, as do information security analysts and computer systems analysts.
Other significant initiatives include the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award, which recognizes high school students who identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their achievements in technology.
I4C’s efforts are crucial in addressing the underrepresentation of various populations in the computing workforce. By providing educational opportunities, tutoring, mentorship, and community-building programs, it is equipping the next generation of tech leaders with the skills and resources needed to make the computing field more inclusive and equitable.
