GEECly Email 11/27
Meet your e-board candidates!! 👩💻
Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving break and GO BLUE 〽
We have an exciting week ahead, with an alumni panel this Wednesday from 6-7 pm at this Zoom link!
And also…elections are here!
Elections info:
Tuesday, November 28 from 7-8 pm @ DOW 1017
Each candidate will give a short speech in their own format for each position they are running for. Speeches will be recorded.
You will be able to vote via Google Form which will go out after speeches are given. The form will stay open for a week.
Candidates:
President - Yaire Lopez-Quiroz
Vice President - Faith Tabler
Membership - Sumedha Kanumuri, Joy Ren
Marketing - Megan Bowen, Lauren Rodriguez
Outreach - Grace Boettger, Joy Ren, Sanjana Kulkarni, Shikha Nukala
Treasurer - Vanessa Lulla, Aditi Locula, Megan Bowen
Platform Blurbs:
President
Yaire Lopez-Quiroz: “I stumbled up to the GEECS table at Festifall during freshman year as I was looking for a computer science club to join. Coincidentally, finding GEECS was the perfect thing to have happened to me because it was exactly what I was looking for and has become one of the best experiences I have ever had. If it weren't for GEECS, I genuinely don't think I'd be where I am today in my college career. GEECS has helped me overcome many personal struggles, including the fears of stepping outside of my comfort zone and taking on leadership roles. GEECS has become a crucial part of my college experience. The club and all the members, old and new, hold a special place in my heart. After being on the Eboard for about 2 years, I have become familiar with how the club runs and I've learned a lot from previous board members. I would love to run the club that has made me feel like the best version of myself. No matter how terrible my day has been, attending GEECS events and seeing my fellow board members has always made me feel better and at home away from home. GEECS is the closest thing I have to a second family.”
Vice President
Faith Tabler: “Hi everybody! I'm Faith and I’m running for Vice President. I’ve been a member since my freshman year, and am a mentorship family mentor and a member of the Outreach Committee. I’ve truly loved the chance to connect with such a strong community of women and non-binary students through my involvement in GEECS.
As Vice President, I would have two main goals. First, to diversify the exposure to different companies and roles. While maintaining resources offered for SWE roles, I want to support members that may be pursuing roles in other fields such as Data Analytics, Robotics, Hardware, etc. Second, to increase professional development for skills that are valuable for careers in tech, such as cloud computing or cracking Leetcode problems.
I’ve learned how to organize events and develop connections with sponsors through my role as the project team lead of the Outreach Committee last winter and my position as VP of Service for the cultural sorority, aKDPhi. By serving on E-Board, I would hope to use my experience with event planning to uplift the GEECS community and provide more opportunities for women and non-binary students to succeed in their academic and career goals.”
Membership
Sumedha Kanumuri: “Hi everyone! My name is Sumedha and I’m excited to be running for membership officer! I am currently a sophomore studying CS in CoE and have been a part of GEECS since the beginning of this year. Growing this incredible community of women in technology and contributing to impactful events excites me! My commitment to this role lies in growing GEECS’ sphere of perspective and experiences by engaging current members and ensuring a seamless integration for new members. Beyond informative events, I will organize engaging and fun activities within each semester to allow GEECS members to realize the benefits of building a social and professional network within the club. I am a very organized person and sometimes a bit of a perfection freak ;) In my role, I will prioritize quality over quantity. My objective is to highlight GEECS’ creative outreach work, events, mentorship families, committees, and other embedded communities, before establishing meaningful connections with newcomers. From this, I can create a strong network of members by guiding newcomers into the array of community spaces available in the club. When introduced to a strong network of women with different experiences, backgrounds, and interests, it can be daunting to be the first even to say “Hi! How are you?” and I am speaking as a person who has shared that experience. Don’t get me wrong, listening is amazing but sharing your voice is equally as important! I am looking forward to breaking those barriers and encouraging more women in tech to find the spaces where they can thrive and grow. Thank you!”
Joy Ren: “Hi everyone! My name is Joy Ren and I am a freshman studying Computer Science on the pre-law track. At the beginning of the year, I walked into my EECS 203 lecture and was shocked to find that there were only about 30 girls in the large, spacious GGBL lecture hall. I was shocked again to find that only a quarter of students at the university studying EECS were women. I am running for Membership Officer because I firmly believe that GEECS is a place of growth, inclusivity, and support for all the women in EECS at UMich. I want to promote GEECS as an environment where we can foster strong, connected communities of women and provide a space to bridge the gap in EECS.
My love of spearheading innovative initiatives is rooted in my desire to achieve sustainable action where varied perspectives intermingle. Likewise, the multidisciplinary nature of GEECS' outreach and community-based projects perfectly align with my interests, allowing me to actualize meaningful contributions in the technology and campus spheres. GEECS’ dynamic, equity and female-focused impacts are closely aligned with the evolving world, expanding my periphery beyond my comfort zone.
As Membership Officer, I would love to increase opportunities for members to connect with older members in a more intimate setting—members could sign up for small group chats to get to know each other on a deeper level. Additionally, I could work alongside the Marketing Officer to create more social media content focused on recruitment over social media channels. Festifall can be overwhelming with the hundreds of clubs on campus, so prospective members can learn more about the club through online platforms. By creating content relevant to a higher-level EECS course load, internship hiring processes, or resume/interview tips, we are able to give names, faces, and personalities to the people behind GEECS.
GEECS provides unparalleled experiences for professional development, but just as importantly, to form friendships with the coolest people on campus. GEECS encourages students to explore, accept, and unearth what it means to be human, a community I would be ecstatic to be a part of.”
Marketing
Megan Bowen: “Hi! I’m Megan Bowen, and I am a sophomore majoring in Data Science through LSA with a potential minor in UX Design. I only just decided on my major this fall and was feeling lost and overwhelmed by everything tech, so I joined GEECS looking for community in a space I was unfamiliar with. GEECS helped me find just that and more–I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge on my professional interests, get advice on classes, and connect with the incredible members of this organization. I want to continue to be involved with GEECS as a member of E-Board, where I hope to give back the support I received upon joining and to continue engaging with the GEECS community.
I first discovered GEECS through social media, and I want to grow GEECS's brand through social media as well as building a more member-centered image. As Marketing Officer, I will continue to actively promote GEECS events on Instagram while creating a more uniform theme to build a recognizable and consistent platform for the organization. What makes this club special is its members, and I want to highlight the unique experiences of our members more on social media. I plan to create member spotlights where any willing members can speak on their GEECS experience, offer their own advice, or share internship insights over the summer. I also plan on showing more photo content from club events to add dimension to our social media presence. My goal is to increase club engagement with these additions to GEECS's promotional strategy and create deeper connections with GEECS members and the general UMich community.”
Lauren Rodriguez: “Hi, my name is Lauren Rodriguez and I’m a sophomore majoring in computer science with a minor in UX design and I would love to be reelected as your marketing officer for the 2024 GEECS E-board! Being a part of this board has introduced me to incredible, supportive people, and I’m grateful to GEECS for giving me that strong sense of community @ umich. My experience as marketing officer has given me insights to further enhance GEECS as an inclusive, socially engaging, and resourceful organization. Over the past year, I’ve overseen marketing committee meetings + bonding events, created flyers and event posts, coordinated Grace Hopper, managed our social media presence, and oversaw the designs for the new 2024 GEECS merch. Moving forward, I would love to revamp our professional event posts with creative content showcasing event highlights and photos for those who couldn't attend or seek a recap. Additionally, I aim to expand our presence on Tiktok, introducing a member spotlight series where individuals can vlog their daily experiences, offer class advice, and provide honest reviews of their time at Michigan. I would also love to enhance our Slack channel by creating categorized subchats such as "alumni," "internships," "new grad," and "LSA electives" to increase communication and information sharing. I've cherished my role as your marketing officer and hope to continue making GEECS a more welcoming and informative space for new and existing members alike!”
Outreach
Grace Boettger: “This past year, I have been the Outreach Officer for GEECS. For me, this experience has been incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. I have had the opportunity to empower and guide young girls while teaching them about a field that I really love. I think computer science is an amazing field of study that more women should be involved in. The outreach committee is able to help introduce girls to computer science and encourage them to pursue a career in it. I know these types of interactions can have a massive impact on girls and young women. I was first introduced to computer science by one of my high school teachers. She was the one who encouraged me to pursue computer science and is the reason I am where I am. Getting to be a part of creating and nurturing a passion for computer science is what the outreach committee is all about for me. I am really passionate about encouraging girls in computer science and paying forward the amazing mentorship that I’ve had in this field. As outreach officer, I strived to design and implement events that make computer science approachable for young girls and enable them to explore the different possibilities within the field. Computer science has so much to offer to women, but unfortunately it's branded as a men’s industry. Today, computer science can seem really scary and unattainable for young girls, and I want to continue to do my part to change that.”
Joy Ren: “Hi everyone! My name is Joy Ren and I am a freshman studying Computer Science on the pre-law track. At the beginning of the year, I walked into my EECS 203 lecture and was shocked to find that there were only about 30 girls in the large, spacious GGBL lecture hall. I was shocked again to find that only a quarter of students at the university studying EECS were women. I am running for Outreach Officer because I firmly believe that GEECS is a place of growth, inclusivity, and support for all the women in EECS on campus. I want to promote GEECS as an environment where we can foster strong, connected communities of women and provide a space to bridge the gap in EECS: through company speakers and sponsorships, mentorship programs for members of the Ann Arbor community, and simply extending support to my fellow GEECS members.
My love of spearheading innovative initiatives is rooted in my desire to achieve sustainable action where varied perspectives intermingle. Likewise, the multidisciplinary nature of GEECS' outreach and community-based projects perfectly align with my interests, allowing me to actualize meaningful contributions in the technology and campus spheres. GEECS’ dynamic, equity and female-focused impacts are closely aligned with the evolving world, expanding my periphery beyond my comfort zone.
As Outreach Officer, I would love to increase opportunities for members to engage with community service, both on campus and off-campus. By pursuing service-based volunteering alongside promoting women in EECS, we are able to put our goals into action. Forming partnerships and hosting events for elementary, middle, and high school students in the local Ann Arbor community grounds our values into the community. It also expands accessibility to computer science and representation of women in STEM for those who do not have the privilege to experience it in their own communities.
GEECS provides unparalleled experiences for professional development, but just as importantly, to form friendships with the coolest people on campus. GEECS encourages students to explore, accept, and unearth what it means to be human, a community I would be ecstatic to be a part of.”
Sanjana Kulkarni: “As the Outreach Officer, I'm dedicated to building our club's engagement through game nights and movie nights. These gatherings will help members to relax but they'll also be the cornerstone of our community. By organizing tech-themed game nights, we’ll provide safe spaces for members to get to know each other's personalities, interests, and experiences, hopefully building friendships along the way.
From trivia nights centered around tech innovations to gaming tournaments showcasing coding skills, these events will offer a playful yet enriching environment. Through shared experiences, we'll strengthen the social fabric of our club, ensuring that everyone feels connected and valued.
Along with this, a strong online presence is vital in today's digital world. As the Outreach Officer, I'm committed to elevating our club's visibility and branding through strategic social media initiatives. By crafting content that highlights our workshops, hackathons, and game nights, we'll captivate our audience and draw in new members. By utilizing various platforms like Instagram and TikTok, I will tailor our messaging to resonate with diverse audiences interested in tech and fostering inclusivity.
Moreover, I'll collaborate with our members to showcase their achievements, projects, and stories, illustrating the diverse talents within our club. With consistent and engaging posts, we'll establish our club as a vibrant hub for tech enthusiasts, attracting a broader community both online and offline. By focusing on game nights and amplifying our online presence through captivating content and strategic branding, I aim to fortify our club's sense of belonging while reaching broader audiences and increasing membership.”
Shikha Nukala: “Hello GEECS community! As your Outreach Officer candidate, I'm committed to providing opportunities for success in careers in tech to each member. In addition to continuing traditional outreach programs from previous semesters, as part of my platform I would like to introduce a new outreach program. Additionally, I would like to add an event to connect our University of Michigan members to women in tech at other Michigan universities through an annual conference.
To detail specific implementation ideas, my platform includes:
A New Outreach Program: MCWT (Michigan Council of Women in Technology) is a Michigan organization dedicated to empowering women in tech through scholarship opportunities, tech bootcamps, and in-state internship opportunities. I would like to create a new program through GEECS where women in tech who are part of this organization can connect with members and encourage members to attend this organization’s events.
Digital Presence: Introducing MCWT opportunities to GEECS through calendar content, newsletters, and encouraging members to participate in MCWT activities through email and social media updates.
Mentorship Programs: Launching mentorship initiatives that connect experienced professionals from MCWT, as well as University of Michigan alumni, with GEECS members, fostering mentorship relationships and career development.
A Collaborative Event: Facilitating an event such as a short hackathon, building AI, or a conference-style meeting that encourages knowledge exchange, skill-building, and fosters a supportive environment where women in technology from different universities can network.
Let's build a stronger, more inclusive tech community together!”
Treasurer
Vanessa Lulla: “Hi GEECS! My name is Vanessa and I’m excited to be running again for GEECS’ Treasurer! I’ve been part of GEECS since my freshman Fall and I’ve come to love the supportive, welcoming community. From class advice, internship search, and making friends in the engineering department, GEECS has always been there for me. Previously, I was the GEECS outreach committee project planning lead and taught at the monthly outreach events. I wanted to continue contributing to the community and became the treasurer for 2023. As treasurer, I have been able to support all our fun events and keep the EBoard financially organized. I’ve helped run our weekly events, tracked expenses, and filed many many reimbursements! With my love for GEECS, spreadsheets, and organization I hope to continue working as treasurer. Thank you!”
Aditi Locula: “Hi GEECS!! My name is Aditi Locula, and I’m excited to be running for treasurer! I’ve been an active member of GEECS since the beginning of my freshman year, and I’ve absolutely loved being a part of the community. My journey within GEECS has been filled with invaluable experiences, such as attending Grace Hopper, participating in a mentorship family, and being a member of the outreach committee. These experiences have given me a strong appreciation for all the hard work and dedication of Eboard, inspiring me to step up and serve as treasurer. I’m excited to have the opportunity to give back, and I believe I would be able to make a large impact by taking on the crucial role of a treasurer.
I believe I would be a good fit for the role because as a current finance committee chair member for SAAN (South Asian Awareness Network), I’m very familiar with the financial processes of submitting reimbursements and applying for grants. My experience with this role has proved my reliability and trustworthiness, and I’m committed to continuing this as a finance chair for GEECS. I’m confident that I’ll be able to keep track of expenses and allocate funds to ensure that GEECS runs smoothly throughout the year. I’ve always been an extremely organized person and my rainbow color-coded planner from middle school is a testament to that :))
If elected as treasurer, I promise to continue providing all of GEECS with fun events including everyone’s favorite - free food!!”
Megan Bowen: “Hi! I’m Megan Bowen, and I am a sophomore majoring in Data Science through LSA with a potential minor in UX Design. I only just decided on my major this fall and was feeling lost and overwhelmed by everything tech, so I joined GEECS looking for community in a space I was unfamiliar with. GEECS helped me find just that and more–I have had the opportunity to expand my knowledge on my professional interests, get advice on classes, and connect with the incredible members of this organization. I want to continue to be involved with GEECS as a member of E-Board, where I hope to give back the support I received upon joining and to continue engaging with the GEECS community.
As Treasurer I hope to streamline GEECS reimbursement process with financial transparency and open communication. I have past experience managing club finances for other student orgs, and I am excited to bring that experience to GEECS. I know the reimbursement process can take time, and to ease the waiting process I plan on actively updating members filing reimbursements on their status and to submit requests in a timely manner. To make sure the process remains organized I will maintain a spreadsheet tracking flows of cash as well as the club budget to ensure that funds are appropriately handled and that GEECS finances are being properly maintained to support club events and activities. I recognize the importance of communication when it comes to handling club finances and will ensure that I am available to discuss and review club activity when needed.”
Action Items:
Add the GEECS calendar to your calendar to stay updated on all our events.
Make sure to join our Slack workspace, and follow any socials linked at the bottom of this email for announcements and reminders about our events.
If you are interested in viewing our previous newsletters or know someone who wants to join the email list, click here.
Upcoming Events 📅
GEECS Elections: in-person on Tuesday, 11/28, from 7-8 pm at DOW 1017. Come listen to candidates’ speeches and vote for next year’s executive board!
Alumni Panel: virtual on Wednesday, 11/29, from 6-7 pm on Zoom. Join GEECS alumni to learn about best practices in college, how to find internships, life after college, and so much more!
Zoom Link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/92211210519?pwd=Q2Z4TkQxZzU5ZzgzU3ZQM3RKeE91QT09
GEECS Networks 🕸
Slideshow with current GEECS members, their intros, social media, Linkedin, etc. Add yours here.
Getting advice and hearing experiences from other GEECS members is a go-to throughout college. Join our LinkedIn page if you’re interested in sharing your experiences with GEECS peers or reaching out to others.
Social Media 📱
GEECS Sponsors 🏆
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting GEECS and empowering women in technology!
Your Officers 👩💻
Debrini Sarkar, President, debrini@umich.edu
Shivani Sundaresan, Vice President, shhivani@umich.edu
Vanessa Lulla, Treasurer, vlulla@umich.edu
Yaire Lopez-Quiroz, Membership, lopezqui@umich.edu
Lauren Rodriguez, Marketing, lrodz@umich.edu
Grace Boettger, Outreach, graceboe@umich.edu