Students, Alumni, and Faculty Connect at the World’s Largest Gathering of Women in Computing
Earlier this month, UChicago Computer Science joined thousands of attendees at the 2025 Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), held November 4–7 in Chicago, Illinois. The world’s largest conference for women and nonbinary technologists, GHC brings together students, professionals, and researchers from around the globe to celebrate diversity in tech, share knowledge, and inspire the next generation of innovators.
This year, the University of Chicago was represented across multiple fronts: as a conference exhibitor, sponsor, and academic community. The MPCS supported a group of students to attend the conference, where they participated in speaker sessions, technical workshops, the Talent & Tech Expo, and Braindates, which were small group discussions designed to foster mentorship and collaboration.
“Attending GHC 2025 was an inspiring experience,” said MPCS student Ekaterina Kim, who highlighted talks from Dr. Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, co-founder of Affectiva. “Both sessions reinforced the immense potential of AI to create equitable, empathetic, and life-changing solutions. I left feeling inspired to explore how technology can be a force for good.”
For many students, GHC provided a chance to connect with mentors, meet recruiters, and gain insights into navigating the tech industry.
“I learned how others transitioned careers, how to do well in a technical interview, and how to better showcase my personal brand,” said MPCS student Karine Sarkisian. “Listening to women in the field alleviated my fears about entering a male-dominated space. I’m motivated to promote an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive based on their contributions—not their background.”
Other attendees echoed the same sense of empowerment and connection. “My favorite part was the energy and sense of community,” said MPCS student Siri Avula. “Being surrounded by so many talented women who share my passion was incredibly refreshing and inspiring.”
Connecting the UChicago Community
On Thursday evening, UChicago Computer Science hosted a networking reception that brought together alumni, faculty, staff, and more than 40 prospective students. The event offered attendees the opportunity to connect and learn more about the department’s graduate programs, including the Master’s Program in Computer Science (MPCS), the Computational Analysis and Public Policy (CAPP) program, and the PhD in Computer Science.
The reception underscored UChicago’s commitment to fostering inclusive academic and professional pathways in technology—connecting those considering graduate study with current students and alumni who shared their experiences and advice.
Student Takeaways and Advice
Many attendees shared practical tips for future Grace Hopper participants:
- Plan ahead. “Register early for Braindates—they fill up quickly,” advised Jingxuan Xiong.
- Prepare your pitch. “Have a clear elevator pitch and be ready to ask thoughtful questions,” said Jiayue Chen, who connected with recruiters from Cloudflare and Bloomberg.
- Balance your schedule. “Give yourself grace and take breaks when needed to avoid burnout,” added Siri Avula.
- Explore beyond the Expo. “The smaller speaker sessions are where you’ll make real connections,” said Eugenie Gruman.
For others, the conference was as much about reflection as it was about opportunity. “Networking with professionals from diverse companies helped me gain new perspectives,” said Kritika Rana. “I made genuine connections that will be helpful in the future—and learned a lot from the tech sessions I attended.”
Looking Ahead
From engaging talks on AI ethics to hands-on networking opportunities, GHC 2025 offered UChicago students a space to learn, connect, and grow. As one attendee shared, “It was amazing to meet so many people and see the range of possibilities in computing. I’m grateful to UChicago for making it possible.”
The Department of Computer Science looks forward to continuing its support of student participation at future Grace Hopper Celebrations—empowering the next generation of technologists to build a more inclusive and innovative world.
If you’re interested in moving your technical career forward with a MS in Computer Science, learn more about our program and apply here!