The Coalition to Diversify Computing (CDC)

A joint organization of the ACM, CRA and IEEE-CS
http://www.cdc-computing.org/

Patricia Teller, Chair, pteller@cs.utep.edu
Valerie E. Taylor, Chair-Elect, taylor@cs.tamu.edu
J. S. Hurley, Immediate Past-Chair, john.s.hurley@boeing.com

Major progress in computing technologies over the last decade has been accompanied by vast improvements in computing middleware, hardware and networking. An unexpected consequence of these advancements has been a shortage of a highly trained workforce of scientists and engineers capable of understanding and implementing the resources. The Coalition to Diversify Computing (CDC) seeks to address the shortfall through the development of a diverse community of professionals that can effectively meet the computing demands of an evolving society. CDC projects target students and faculty with the expressed intent of increasing the number of minorities successfully transitioning into computing-based careers in academia, federal labs and industry. Additional projects seek to increase the available pool of faculty members through partnerships and mentoring. Current emphasis is placed on the following three areas: (1) recruitment of minority undergraduates to MS/Ph.D. programs, (2) retention of minority graduate students enrolled in MS/Ph.D. programs, and (3) transition of minority MS/Ph.D. graduates into academia and industry. Current projects include:

1. Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference
   Next conference (October 19-22, 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico), URL: http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/Conferences/Tapia2005/
2. Distributed Rap Sessions
3. CDC Database
4. Sending Students/Mentors to Technical Conferences
5. Collaborative Research Experiences for Undergraduates (CREU)
6. Workshop for Minority Junior Faculty

The diverse membership of CDC from areas of academia, industry and federal laboratories enables a variety of different perspectives and approaches to be utilized in achieving the above stated goals. CDC also partners with a number of organizations with similar missions to leverage resources to optimize outcomes.