Thank you from the 2020 Grace Hopper attendees

Virtual Grace Hopper Celebration

Dear Robert and Laura Ellen Muglia,

Below are a collection of messages from the student attendees of this year’s virtual Grace Hopper Celebration. The major conference recognizing the role of women in computing is always a popular event for our students, and this year was no different. Thanks to your generous gift, over 40 students (undergrads and grads) were able to attend the conference and take advantage of the valuable career connections on offer there. Your contribution to this important aspect of their education and careers is greatly appreciated by the division and its students.


I’m writing to thank you for your contribution to CSE, which has provided me the incredible opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference. Your generosity has enabled me to further my exposure to the incredible world of women in computing and opened a number of career opportunities. I’m so grateful for this experience, made possible by your commitment to the department.

All the best,
Leigh Dennis


This was my first time attending GHC, I’m really thrilled to meet and network with talented and inspiring women in technology. Given that many companies are on hiring freeze, GHC really helped me to get some interviews and opportunities. 

Thanks,
You Liu

Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity! Not only did I get the chance to listen to incredible speakers and network with various companies, but vGHC allowed me to join this amazing group of people that empower and inspire others. This was only made possible because of your generous contribution. Thank you again!

Best,
Joanna Qu


I really appreciate the opportunity of meeting with other women in computing to discuss the problems I have encountered during the final stage of my PhD study. It’s also a great chance to open up and meet with potential employers for career development. Thank you for the support and the great work!

–Jie Song


Words cannot express how thankful I am for Robert and Laura Ellen Muglia for providing me with the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration. GHC inspired me as a woman in technology by connecting me with and learning from women all over the world. I now have mentors and job opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have received without GHC!

Best,
Emma Gannon


Dear Mr. and Mrs. Muglia, thank you so much for providing us with the gift of being able to attend the virtual Grace Hopper Celebration! This was my first time ever attending GHC and I had a wonderful experience! I got to meet so many recruiters from various companies and so many inspiring women that I don’t think I would have ever been able to meet! Again, thank you so much for providing us with this amazing opportunity!

–Jasmine Wang

Thank you so much for making it possible for me to attend Grace Hopper. It was my first time attending and I was able to learn so much knowledge from all the workshops. It was very valuable to network and talk with all the various companies and get more insight on the tech field. Thank you! 

–Keerthana Kolisetty


Thank you for this opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference!  Attending the conference was a unique opportunity to connect with professionals working in technology, and those connections gave me great advice about working in industry.  The sessions I attended helped broaden how I viewed the technology industry, and those connections will help support me in the years to come, and I would not have been able to attend without your support.

–Erin Deutschman


I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to attend Grace Hopper and learn about the amazing things that women are doing in the field of tech. In addition to learning applicable information I was also able to interview and receive an offer from Zillow!

–Sarah Addo


Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to attend the GHC this year. This experience was new to me and allowed me to learn a lot about my interests and hear advice and learn from others who have done what I am working to achieve!

–Aya Fattah

It was an extremely valuable experience to feel represented by those similar to me. Communities serve as strong social support and bonding. So, thank you for helping us discover and experience the community at Grace Hopper.

With gratitude,
Dora Guo


Thank you Robert and Laura Ellen for the generous gift that allowed me to attend the 2020 Grace Hopper Celebration. As a woman in engineering, nothing is more empowering and reassuring as seeing other successful women in the field. GHC was a wonderful experience and I am so excited I was able to be a part of it.

Best,
Julia Lanier


Thank you, Robert and Laura Ellen, for supporting us students in attending one of the world’s largest computing symposiums. Attending the Grace Hopper Celebration enabled me to refresh my understanding of cutting edge research in various domains such as quantum computing and genomics, and helped me network with some of the top leaders in these areas.

–Subhankar Pal

Thank you very much for the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference. The conference gave me an excellent opportunity to learn more about the unique applications and different opportunities that studying Computer Science presents to me. The conference also meant a lot to me because seeing women in prominent tech positions gave me hope that I can one day be like these strong women.

Best regards,
Myla Semanision


I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for providing an opportunity for me to attend Grace Hopper. As a senior making preparations to “enter the real world”, the experience and opportunities at Grace Hopper were incredible to be a part of even virtually. It is a memory I will keep for a very long time. Thank you once again!  

Best,
Kareen Faisal


As a woman and first-generation college student in the early stage of my career, I sometimes feel uncertain about what my career path should go and what kind of person I want to become in the future. In vGHC, I have met outstanding women in technology, who are inspiring others with their knowledge, passion, and ideas; from them, I feel motivated and have learned about how to build visibility for myself. Thank you for sponsoring such a wonderful event!

Best,
Runyu Zheng


Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go to Grace Hopper! I was feeling a little unconfident about my career choice into CS, but being around so many empowering women has inspired me to continue pursuing my passion. Through vGHC, I’ve also been able to get an offer from one of my dream companies, so thank you so much for supporting the community!

–Michelle Liu


Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to attend vGHC! I attended so many amazing events, such as Serena William’s keynote address. I’m sure her words will have a lasting impact on my career!

Best,
Meera Shivakumar