Computer Science at NLU: Building a Diverse, Dynamic Pipeline of Future STEM Talent
Dr. Robyn Moncrief speaks at the NLU Computer Science and Information Systems Symposium.
Strengthening student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to meet the high demand for STEM-related skills in today’s job market. But while educators and policymakers have long acknowledged the need to introduce more racial and gender diversity into STEM fields, progress in this direction has been slow, according to the PEW Research Center.
Women make up around 50% of STEM-related jobs, but the majority of these are in healthcare-related fields; representation in computer science and engineering, for example, remains far lower, at 25% and 15%, respectively. The current STEM workforce also remains mostly white by a large margin, with Black and Hispanic students making up only 8% and 9% of all STEM jobs.
National Louis University (NLU) is working to close the STEM representation gap. Dr. Robyn Moncrief, founding director and faculty member of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) at NLU, launched this program in AY19 and has led significant program and partnership development to expand its impact over time. CSIS at NLU served 79 students in its inaugural year, and by AY23 the program has grown 278% to serve 299 students, including both first-time undergraduates and adult and transfer students, as well as in-person and online students. NLU’s diverse CSIS student body is now 73% Black or Latinx, 63% Pell Eligible, and 52% first generation college goers.
With the support and collaboration of the NLU CSIS industry advisory council, NLU’s Centro de Excelencia team, and several million dollars in grants from the U.S. Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) STEM program and the National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. Moncrief has led the development of engaging relevant curriculum, state-of-the-art lab computing resources, and support structures to help recruit students from a variety of backgrounds and build a more inclusive environment for NLU’s STEM students.
Here is a snapshot of a few exciting STEM-related initiatives at NLU:
EXECS - Early Explorations in CSIS
This program provides second-year students an opportunity to experience the industry with an industry mentor. They go on-site or work virtually with their mentor, get to learn about the company, the different roles, and see first-hand the day-to-day life of someone in that role and support their mentor with a project. Mentors remain connected to their mentee throughout the year and support them with anything from building a network, learning about the ins and outs of the industry, to resume and interview prep. This prepares students to have a better understanding of the field and context for future internships and career opportunities. NLU is actively recruiting industry partners.
STEM Portable Makerspace - taking STEM to our local communities
This program connects CSIS students to local communities to put on STEM learning experiences for K-12 students. These are hosted at local libraries and schools that our students have a connection with. This was initiated by students’ interest in giving back to their communities. It is a great way for students to build leadership, be creative, and inspire younger students to consider STEM pathways.
Girls Who Code club for high-schoolers
NLU started our Girls Who Code club chapter by hosting two summer camps (one at Chicago and one at Wheeling). These help to inspire high-school girls to experience and pursue coding and STEM at the secondary education level and to consider it as a college major. These opportunities support bridging the gender gap that is present in the computing world.
CSISters - Mentoring women in CSIS
This is an interest-based group to support the women in the major and build the community. This is led by two faculty members and regularly meets to discuss topics of interest and provide advice and mentorship. This group also provides opportunities for one-on-one mentorship, student outings, and career advice.
About Dr. Moncrief:
Robyn Moncrief is the founding director and faculty member of the computer science and information systems (CSIS) program at National Louis University. She believes that computer science should be an option for everyone and that we must work to increase the number of underrepresented students participating in the field. The CSIS department is supported by Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institute (HSI) STEM grants as well as a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. Dr. Moncrief’s Ph.D. research in computer science (DePaul University) is in developing systems for automating the translation between English to American Sign Language. She brings to NLU a very interdisciplinary background, having studied, designed curriculum, and taught in the fields of computer science, engineering, computational biology, and design.
