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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Package

UNC students at Grace Hopper 2018Overview

The UNC CS Department remains committed to increasing the support of and advocacy for historically excluded identities within CS and technology. With a dedicated program lead and support staff, UNC CS manages a multi-faceted strategy that meets the needs of the students we work to serve. We invite industry partners to join us for intentional and meaningful engagement.

Debugging DEI

Debugging DEI brings attention to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the department, but also the broader UNC and tech communities. Debugging DEI is aimed at increasing accessibility to DEI education and heightening awareness around experiences of underrepresented communities in technology, while also providing them equitable support and advocacy.

Debugging DEI highlights events and programs that further these efforts, tells the stories of its community members and celebrates the contributions of historically marginalized groups to the tech industry, all in hopes of “debugging” issues and challenges in the CS and tech community and creating safe spaces to explore potential solutions.

Partner DEI Opportunities

The DEI Engagement consists of 4 Engagement Pillars.

  • Community: Engage strategically with our UNC CS student community
  • Advancement: Move the collective vision forward to increase visibility, access, and belonging
  • Student Advocacy Events: Support one of our signature student-led, identity-centered events
  • Visibility: Demonstrate your level of commitment to DEI

Community

Choose 2 Programs

Hack the Culture

Participating students of historically excluded identities (HEIs) in tech will attend career readiness workshops managed by UNC CS staff. Following, participating partners will host small, intimate networking sessions to kick off recruiting week at UNC CS. Limited to 5 partners.

Student Club Connection

Partners choosing this option will be paired with identity-centered student groups to establish connections with its members. The UNC CS DEI team will work with your team for a custom engagement plan based on your DEI goals.

Our identity-centered student clubs for 2023-24 are Black in Technology (BiT), Latinos in Tech, and Women in Computer Science (WiCS).

Womxn in Tech Week

Womxn in Tech week is a week-long celebration, featuring a mix of informal networking and social events. Partners choosing this option are invited to attend events that work to build community and empower womxn in technology and be featured on all event branding.

Advancement

Choose 1 Program

Conference Sponsorship

Partners are invited to provide a company-named scholarship for students to attend identity-centered professional conferences. Company information and swag will be shared with all participants. This package also invites sponsors to attend and contribute to conference orientation and access to conference attendee resumes.

Funding will be allocated based on student interest. Conference options include AfroTech, Grace Hopper Celebration, CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Conference and SACNAS NDiSTEM Conference.

DEI Ambassador Program

DEI Ambassadors are current CS students who hold historically excluded identities taking the lead to increase community and support for CS peers with similar identities. The DEI Ambassador role includes educational programming, community building, K-12 outreach, and peer support.

Companies will be listed as a sponsor on our DEI Ambassador website, in our training materials, and in community building programming (around 10 events per semester), as well as in any K-12 outreach promotional materials. K-12 outreach will target rural and low-income areas as well as BIPOC populations.

Partner-named student DEI award

Recognizing student contributions and leadership for DEI programs and initiatives, UNC CS will acknowledge the work with a nominated student award Excellence in DEI to be announced at the annual May commencement ceremony.

Visibility

For All DEI Partners

DEI Employer Consultation and Workshops

Corporate partners will have the opportunity each quarter to learn about DEI trends within the department, get tips to engage with students effectively, and participate in cross-company discussion in order to optimize student engagement methods.

Content for SOAR Forum & Listserv

SOAR CS is a community-based forum aimed at fostering success for historically excluded identities (HEIs) within UNC CS. Students opting into the forum and listserv receive updates on job postings, initiatives, scholarships, and events specifically serving HEIs.

Recognized support of DEI at UNC CS

DEI Partners will be recognized as a DEI partner for all DEI programs and Debugging DEI workshops conducted in the department as well as acknowledgement on UNC CS website and all social media channels throughout the academic year.

Student Advocacy Events

Partners are invited to choose one of the following events as part of the UNC CS DEI Package. Add both events for an additional $1,500.

Upgraded investments for each event are available to increase your company’s visibility and participation. Please email partners@cs.unc.edu for more information.

Choose 1 Event, or Add Both for an Additional $1,500

Entry Level AfroPix sponsorship

Hosted by the CS student organization Black in Technology, AfroPix is an annual day-long symposium to celebrate Black and Brown coders. The symposium consists of a pre-professional/technical event featuring workshops, mentorship opportunities, and a career fair, followed by a celebratory social event creating community among participants.

Entry Level Pearl Hacks sponsorship

Pearl Hacks is one of the first women/non-binary focused hackathons in the nation. The event continues its tradition of creating an encouraging environment for all skill levels to pursue their interests in technology. In 2024, Pearl Hacks will celebrate its 10-year anniversary, highlighting its impact and committing to inrease access and broaden participation.

Additional Opportunities

Girls Who Code UNC Chapter Sponsor – $2,500

Limited to 1 Partner

Girls Who Code is a national nonprofit organization that supports and increases the number of women in CS by hosting coding classes for local middle schoolers. UNC students lead weekly workshops, introducing students to the fundamentals of CS. The selected sponsor will be featured on all Girls Who Code materials and invited to share materials to be distributed to the student cohort. Support for the program covers administration costs, including student instructor background checks.

Custom upgrade packages are also available, providing opportunities for partners to add more DEI events a la carte. Email partners@cs.unc.edu for more information.