Date of Graduation

Spring 5-19-2017

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharya

Second Advisor

Erin Grinshteyn

Third Advisor

Courtney Keeler

Abstract

Computer Science (CS) has a large underrepresentation of females and racial minority (Hispanic and African American) populations in today’s education intuitions and workforce. Public health workers and companies have reviewed the consequences of this underrepresentation. Although a promise to incorporate more STEM education in schools the large gap is still prevalent. The Google Code Corps (GCC) is a partnership between The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), AmeriCorps, and Google with a symbiotic goal to impact minorities and low-socioeconomic (SES) communities through education, mentoring, and capacity building. GCC project aims to empower BGC members by developing a successful and sustainable CS program. The completion of GCC year-one findings resulted in more ethnic minorities partaking CS classes and an overall increase in CS concepts. In summary, 44% of BGCSV participants were female and 70% were ethnic minorities. Students who partook in classes felt they could have a career in computer science. Furthermore, staff demonstrated a feeling that CS First was an easy and well-structured program. Multiple internal and external factors including allostatic load and a leaky pipeline contribute to a large underrepresentation of minorities in CS. Implementing CS education early and through multiple layers of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) shows promise for an increased interest. Programs like the GCC can create long-term improvements and set up student success through capacity building activities. However, proper mentorship and continuing assessments and motivating are necessary for overall program success and creating a sustainable impact on both minorities and the CS workforce.

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