Finals are about over and it is time for celebrations. Graduation is on the way. Watch for GW announcements about University and School based celebrations. One outstanding feature of last year’s virtual ceremony was that a card flashed with each graduate’s name, photo and a list of their accomplishments. Amazing! I look forward to this year’s ceremony with the expectation that will continue.

I invite you to join me for the ceremony launching the graduates from our CyberCorps program – in this program, students are supported by NSF or DoD scholarships that provide full tuition and stipends in return for a commitment to work within the Federal government for years equaling their scholarship. We will also celebrate, at that time, the launch of our incoming group of CyberCorps scholars. You are welcome to join us on Friday, May 14 at 2 pm. Here is the link. The ceremony will last about an hour – it is a very enjoyable celebration.

On the horizon for this month is the day-long, virtual workshop, Closing the Gap: The Re-Entry of Women Veterans to Cybersecurity. You can read about the event and join us in online on May 25 by visiting this link. Even if you do not plan to attend, check out the various background papers and reports on women's position in the military, statistics on the challenges they face, and resources for pathways to future careers in cybersecurity. You may be surprised!

On the topic of virtual conferences, it may not be too late to register for the 5th Annual Vivian W. Pinn Symposium (virtual), being held May 11-12, 2021. Dr. Pinn, we are proud to say, is a member of the WiE Advisory Board. This year, the Symposium focuses on "Integrating Sex and Gender into Biomedical Research as a Path for Better Science and Innovation." The event will illustrate the scientific, societal, and economic opportunities for integrating sex and gender into biomedical research, and the power of synergistically working together. You can register at this link. 

One last note - if you missed any of our Meet the Faculty webinars, you can find them on our website or scroll below to find the recording links. We will announce the Fall lineup at the end of the Summer. We expect these webinars to feature faculty work on artificial intelligence, disaster response and ultrasound therapy - and they promise to be as fascinating as those that came before!

Have a wonderful Summer. WiE will be back with news next month.

Shelly Heller
WiE Center Director 

Kudos to Professor Shahrokh Ahmadi, who has been selecterd to receive GW's 2021 George Washington Award. They say, "when you want something done, ask the busiest person" - that expression was crafted with Professor Ahmadi in mind!

The George Washington Award recognizes students, faculty, or staff who have made exceptional contributions that have advanced the university to: Develop students' abilities to the fullest; provide for superior instruction and facilities; provide for a balanced program of student extracurricular activities; or utilize its historical, geographical and functional relationship to the nation's capital. The George Washington Award is given annually during the Excellence in Student Life Awards, which is GW's largest celebration of student life and a beloved campus tradition, honoring the individuals and groups who work tirelessly to enhance student life on camput and work alongside our surrounding community. 

Professor Ahmadi is a member of the WiE Advisory Board.