On Wednesday, May 6, Wilmington University's Doberstein Admissions Center auditorium hosted one hundred and fifty 8th and 9th grade girls for the 5th annual DigiGirlz Day. This Microsoft-sponsored day of discovery featured a keynote address by Delaware's First Lady, Carla Markell and Transportation Cabinet Secretary, Jennifer Cohan.
DigiGirlz Day is part of a worldwide program designed to introduce girls to careers in technology.The attendees participated in breakout sessions in various classrooms to learn about the possible careers they can consider with a solid education that includes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The students selected one of four learning tracks: touch screen app design, robotics, cyber security and mobile forensics. The girls engaged in lively discussions and participated in hands-on activities within each track.
The attending students also had the opportunity to speak with Microsoft employees about opportunities in the high-tech industry.
"Wilmington University is pleased to again host DigiGirlz Day," said Dr. Mark Hufe, Director, Cyber Security Education, in the University's College of Technology. "We applaud Microsoft and Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) for the heavy lifting they did to put this event together."
This year, Bianca Christe, 2014 graduate of Wilmington University, talked about mobile digital forensic. Christe, who graduated with a degree in computer network security, majored in digital forensics and started working as a mobile digital forensic specialist at a mobile technology company after graduation. Her presentation and the digital forensics track was sponsored by the Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE).
"The gender divide in technology has been a problem for a long time," Hufe said. "That's why The Colloquium was happy to sponsor Bianca and the digital forensics track. It's a great way to introduce 8th and 9th grade girls from Delaware to a variety of technology disciplines at a time in their lives when they're starting to think about what they might want to do for a living."
DigiGIRLZ Day was first held in Delaware in 2011. Microsoft and its Delaware partners, State of Delaware Technology and Information Division's Center for Education and Wilmington University have been encouraging girls to break down gender barriers in the field ever since.
"To really be a leader in innovation, America needs a diverse workforce with diverse ideas," Hufe added. "With a better gender balance in the technology workforce, we will see greater innovation."
Click here to learn more about DigiGirlz Days.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the second fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2002 – 2012 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu
