As part of WiCS FIU’s ongoing growth and success, a story unfolds that highlights WiCS’ inspiring journey of development, with momentum building toward WiTCON25. Women in Computer Science (WiCS) is an organization for women, by women, open to any FIU student in the School of Computing and Information Sciences or anyone with an interest in computing topics. The mission is to create a nurturing environment that offers academic, professional, and emotional support to students in the field.
WiTCON (Women in Technology Conference) has become a powerful symbol of the community’s dedication, and next year’s event promises to be the biggest yet.
A Revival After the Pandemic
WiCS had not always been active at FIU, especially following the challenges brought by the pandemic. In the Fall of 2022, Nicole Cruz, along with other dedicated students, revived WiCS from the ground up. Her story is especially motivating—how does one start from scratch? In her first year of the revival, Nicole was determined to continue WiTCON (formerly WiCSCON), and her efforts led to the success of WiTCON23, which saw around 200 attendees. Nicole’s leadership continued as she turned her focus to WiTCON24, where she was appointed WiTCON Director, with Maria Paula Macedo stepping in as WiCS President and Giuliana Russi serving as Vice President.
Building a Strong Foundation for Growth
In 2023, another key member, Mareline Ramirez was onboarded, bringing experience from TechTogether Miami to help provide structure and a solid foundation for WiCS. A framework for workshops, sponsorships, and conference planning was established to ensure they were well-organized and funded. Additionally, the focus was on teaching eboard members how to lead with empathy and understand the needs of recruiters and sponsors, aligning WiCS’ goals to meet the community’s needs. WiTCON24 doubled in attendance, attracting over 540 participants.
Securing Sponsorships and Expanding Opportunities
As a result of these efforts, WiCS secured impressive sponsorships from companies such as Netflix, Capital One, Deloitte, Akamai, UKG, and more, raising over $35,000 in support. This funding has revitalized WiCS and created new opportunities for hundreds of students, including internships and networking possibilities. WiCS recently partnered with Adobe, along with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and proudly achieved the highest number of registrations (268 students) for a recent event.
Looking Ahead to WiTCON25
Now, with WiTCON25 on the horizon, excitement continues to grow. The new WiCS eboard, with support and mentorship from past eboards, is working diligently to make this event even more impactful. Building on the foundation of past successes, they aim to create an inclusive and engaging space for students from marginalized genders. WiTCON continues to connect underrepresented students with opportunities for personal and professional growth, and WiTCON25 will continue to do the same.
Mark your calendars for WiTCON25!
• Date: March 28, 2025
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Venue: FIU’s Graham Center – West Ballroom, 10955 SW 15th Terrace, Miami, FL 33199
Stay in Touch
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