Seven Friday Institute Staff Selected for Duke’s 3C Fellows Program to Foster Inclusivity Through Computing Environments

RALEIGH, N.C. — Seven staff members at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation were selected to be in the third cohort of Cultural Competence in Computing (3C) Fellows, a program of the Identity in Computing Lab at Duke University. Callie Edwards, acting director of the Program Evaluation and Education Research Group; Jamie Gillespie, research associate; Kendall Hageman-Mays, graduate research assistant; Jennifer Houchins, director of technology programs; Melissa Rasberry, director of the Professional Learning and Leading Collaborative; Braska Williams, director of the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program; and Sheenal Young, program manager of computer science initiatives, will be fellows in this cohort.

The 3C Fellows Program is a cohort-based professional development program that helps computing faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and professionals learn more about social science topics such as identity, racism and discrimination, how these topics impact computing environments and how to develop solutions that foster more inclusive and equitable cultures in their work. 

“Given their collective commitment to educational equity and expertise in educational technology, it’s no surprise this exceptional group of scholars was selected for the 3C Fellows Program,” said Shaun Kellogg, interim director of the Friday Institute. “I look forward to seeing how they apply what they learn from this program to further the mission and vision of the Friday Institute.”

The Identity in Computing Lab is dedicated to studying the impact of identity on computing, from classroom and industry environments to the technologies that are developed. This work blends social science with computer science to identify strategies for making computing more equitable and inclusive.

Participation in the program spans two academic years and includes pre-review materials and resources, semimonthly professional development sessions and development of equitable and inclusive deliverables. The cohort begins its sessions February 2023.

About the Friday Institute

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation advances K-12 education through innovation in teaching, learning and leadership by bringing together students, teachers, researchers, policymakers and educational professionals to foster collaborations that improve education for all learners. The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation is part of NC State’s College of Education, one of the leading land-grant colleges of education in the nation.