The CRA-W Grad Cohort for Women Program

• Women students in their first year of graduate school in computer science and engineering
• Women students who have previously participated in a CRA-W Grad Cohort - preference will be given to those students who have only attended once previously. There will also be a limited number of slots for third-year graduate students.

CRA-W is announcing the formation of the Fourth Grad Cohort for Women. Cohort activities will kick off with a workshop March 13-14, 2008 in Seattle, WA, funded by generous donations from Microsoft and Google. This workshop is the cornerstone of CRA-W's Grad Cohort Program to increase the ranks of senior women in computing by building and mentoring nationwide communities of women through their graduate studies.

At the Grad Cohort Workshop, we will welcome new women graduate students in their first year of grad school into the community of computing researchers and professionals by providing them with a broad range of strategies and role models. Students from previous grad cohorts are also invited to apply. All of the students will meet for two days with 10 to 15 senior computing researchers and professionals who will share pertinent information on graduate school survival skills, as well as more personal information and insights about their experiences. The rewards of a research career will be emphasized. The workshop will include a mix of formal presentations and informal discussions and social events. Through this workshop, students will be able to build mentoring relationships and develop peer networks that will form the basis for ongoing activities during their graduate careers.

Travel expenses, meals and lodging will be provided for students chosen to participate in this program.

For questions about the Grad Cohort program, please write to gradcohort@cra.org or Carla Romero at carla@cra.org.