January 7, 2025
By Jordan Richards
From Oct. 8-11, 60 students and faculty from the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science connected with leading tech organizations online and in-person at the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), a global conference that serves as a vibrant hub for celebrating and empowering women and non-binary professionals in tech.
Supported by Cornell Bowers CIS’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Cornell’s delegation immersed themselves in professional development opportunities, including keynote speeches by leading tech innovators, interactive technical workshops, panel discussions on emerging trends, and valuable mentoring sessions.
One of the conference's high points was the career expo, which allowed students to explore opportunities in the industry and fostered meaningful engagement with representatives from prominent organizations, such as Capital One, LinkedIn, Roblox, and Citadel, among others. Attendees also gained practical skills, including strategies for building a personal brand, navigating implicit workplace biases, and mastering salary negotiation.
The impact of the conference was tangible, attendees said. Of the 40 who responded to a post-event survey, nearly half said they secured interviews with companies they connected with at GHC, underscoring the event’s role in creating a bridge to professional opportunities.
Participants also shared inspiring takeaways from their GHC experience. “I learned about harnessing the power of AI (artificial intelligence) to solve coding problems instead of fearing it,” said Cindy Liang ‘26. “Also, I gained confidence in navigating networking events.”
Joia Zhang, a doctoral student in the field of statistics and data science, said, “It was incredibly insightful to hear the speakers share their expertise and experience. [They touched on] subjects that are important to me that I had not heard women speak about before. So, I really appreciated the talks I attended and wish that I had time to attend more!”
The GHC highlights how celebrating diversity in tech drives growth. Cornell Bowers CIS’s participation reflects its commitment to the idea that intentional support and inclusive spaces empower individuals to connect, learn, and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Jordan Richards '25 is a communications assistant in the Cornell Bowers CIS Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.