University of Pittsburgh

Technology Leadership Initiative

Providing high school and middle school students opportunities, tools, and motivation to excel in computer and information science.

About TLI


The Technology Leadership Initiative is currently directed by Mackenzie Ball, Director of Outreach and Alumni Engagement at the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh.

History

The Initiative was originally the brainchild of Tonya R. Edmonds. Mrs. Edmonds received an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 and received a MS in Computer Science at the University in 2009. She conducted research about the “pipeline” of minority students entering Computer Science and Information Technology degrees and strengthened her hypothesis of a “leaking pipeline“. According to the 2005 Taulbee survey, African Americans received 358 of 10,900 Computer Science degrees from 188 PhD granting institutions. One of the conclusions of her research was the lack of research and support initiatives available to increase African American participation in these fields.

The Department of Computer Science and School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh generously sponsor TLI. The first cohort of students completed TLI in the summer of 2006.

Mission

The mission of the Technology Leadership Initiative (TLI) is to provide underrepresented and underserved students in grades 6-12 with opportunities, tools and motivation needed to pursue computer and information science related degrees and excel academically, socially and professionally.

Tech Divaz is a free week long introduction to the fields of computer and information science for middle school girls. Students will learn about such topics as hardware, operating systems, big data, web design, critical thinking, and programming with Scratch, Alice, and Java. Students will also learn about the benefits of being a School of Computing and Information student at Pitt and graduating with a CS or IS degree and future career pathways.

High School Academy is a free weeklong introduction to the field of computer science. Students will learn about such topics as hardware, operating systems, big data, web design, human/computer interaction, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, programming with Java and Python, and mobile application development. Students will also learn about the benefits of being a School of Computing and Information student at Pitt and graduating with a CS or IS degree and future career pathways.

Objectives

Contact
Mackenzie Ball

Technology Leadership Initiative
School of Computing and Information
University of Pittsburgh

5815 Sennott Square
210 S. Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

T: 412-624-8422
Email: tli@cs.pitt.edu