Jane Margolis, senior researcher at UCLA’s Center X, has been named one of nine “White House Champions of Change for Computer Science Education” for her work in computer science education for women and students of color. She will be honored at the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 26 as who were selected from across the nation for their leadership and innovation in expanding access to computer science education and for inspiring the next generation to use 21 century tools to better their communities.
The program on Jan. 26 will feature remarks by Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, Acting Secretary for the United States Department of Education John King, Chief Technology Officer of the United States Megan Smith, actress and director Gillian Jacobs, and co-founder and executive director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls Meredith Walker.
Margolis is a researcher at UCLA’s Center X, where she investigates why so few women and students of color have learned computer science. Based on research discussed in her books, “Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing” and “Stuck in the Shallow End: Education, Race and Computing,” she and her Center X colleagues, with support from the National Science Foundation, created Exploring Computer Science (ECS), a high school curriculum and teacher professional development program committed to reaching all students, especially those in underserved communities and schools. ECS now exists across the nation, including in seven of the largest school districts.
The Champions of Change event will be live streamed on the White House website on Jan. 26 at 10 a.m., PST. For more about the White House Champions of Change program, click here or follow the conversation on Twitter at #WHChamps.