Celebrating Diversity in Computing: MPCS at Tapia 2025
The MPCS was proud to participate in the 2025 Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference, an event that brings together students, faculty, researchers, and professionals from across the country to celebrate diversity and innovation in technology.
Our Director of Admissions, Brian Albertsen, represented the program at the MPCS booth, meeting with prospective students and sharing information about the program. The MPCS also sponsored two current students to attend the conference, giving them the opportunity to engage with the computing community and experience Tapia firsthand.
MPCS student, Gbenga, reflected on one of his favorite sessions:
“There was a session on Building the Accessibility Gap, led by Mike Hess, which focused on the various ways in which disabilities impact the way people experience the world and use technology. He was an engaging speaker and did a good job of connecting us with his experiences. It was also good to meet another graduate student and hear what their experience has been like.”
Another MPCS student, Jayti Arora, shared how meaningful it was to see accessibility-centered research in action:
“I really enjoyed a lightning talk about a research project focusing on using technology to help people who may have visual impairments. They showed how to train models on a micro and macro level to map out rooms, which really highlighted to me how technology can be used for accessibility.”
Jayti also pointed to a panel on artificial intelligence as a highlight:
“There was also a panel discussion about how AI is used in the workplace and some key takeaways I had were about finding the balance of having autonomy over your work while also taking advantage of tools available to simplify the work. We also had some conversation starters on the ethical implications of AI and ways to learn more about it, which I found to be fascinating.”
The Tapia Conference was an incredible opportunity for our students to engage with thought leaders in the field, exchange ideas with peers, and reflect on the impact of computing in creating a more inclusive and accessible world. We look forward to continuing our involvement in future Tapia Conferences and supporting our students as they explore new ways to advance the field of computer science.
