UCSD Anita Borg Leadership and Engagement (ABLE) Program

About UCSD’s ABLE Program

The UC San Diego San Diego Supercomputer Center is partnering with campus and community organizations to provide a unique program experience for students in grades 10-12. The program’s mission is to engage young women in the fields of computer science and engineering through workshops, campus and community events, corporate visits and mentor matches. By providing a first hand look into these two areas of interest and highlighting a variety of career opportunities in an encouraging and supportive environment, it is our hope that these young women continue on to pursue careers in STEM fields.

ABLE began its pilot year with a kick off event held in November 2017. This inaugural event was followed by a series of planned events, all with a focus on computer science and engineering and how these two fields play an important role in our daily lives and in the technology-driven world around us. Three years later, we have found that 90% of our graduating seniors pursue engineering and computer science as their college major.

Students joining the program each year since our pilot year will continue to have the opportunity to learn and experience a variety of computer science and engineering focused workshops, events and tours and will have the opportunity to stay involved with ABLE through their high school graduation.

About Anita Borg

Anita Borg (1949-2003), a noted computer scientist, founded the Institute for Women and Technology (now AnitaB.org) and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. With a unique capacity to mix technical expertise and fearless vision, Borg inspired, motivated and moved women to embrace technology. Her dedication and determination to demystify the field of computer science helped women see themselves as active participants in an ever-changing technological society.