1 Issues of Diverse Backgrounds in Graduate School Joy W. Kamunyori University of Virginia

2 About Me Third year graduate student in CS Third year graduate student in CS Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya Undergraduate years at Vassar College, NY Undergraduate years at Vassar College, NY Graduated in 2005; double major Computer Science and Economics Graduated in 2005; double major Computer Science and Economics

3 How Am I Diverse? Female Female Black Black International International UVa CS Dept: UVa CS Dept: Grad students: approx. 110 grad students; 18 women; approx. 60 international; 2 Black Grad students: approx. 110 grad students; 18 women; approx. 60 international; 2 Black Faculty: 33 faculty members; 4 women Faculty: 33 faculty members; 4 women No one “like me” No one “like me”

4 What Issues Have I Faced? Ignorance e.g., my English, my education, my background, my hair, etc. Ignorance e.g., my English, my education, my background, my hair, etc. Loneliness Loneliness Socially Socially Professionally Professionally

5 Coping Look for friends and mentors outside your department Look for friends and mentors outside your department Someone who “looks like you” and has gone through grad school Someone who “looks like you” and has gone through grad school Student organizations Student organizations Grad cohort, Grace Hopper, Richard Tapia, etc. – Network! Grad cohort, Grace Hopper, Richard Tapia, etc. – Network! Don’t think about it too much Don’t think about it too much Don’t polarize yourself; what do you have in common? Don’t polarize yourself; what do you have in common? Don’t take it personally; when faced with ignorance, educate Don’t take it personally; when faced with ignorance, educate

6 It’s Not That Serious Being different isn’t a bad thing Being different isn’t a bad thing We’re all trying to make it through grad school We’re all trying to make it through grad school Don’t expect understanding, just respect Don’t expect understanding, just respect Create your own community - if you’re not getting what you need in your department, look elsewhere! Create your own community - if you’re not getting what you need in your department, look elsewhere!