STEM Symposium for G.I.R.L.S.

Do you believe in changing the norms? Do you like challenging yourself? Do you want to get involved as a rising leader in S.T.E.M.?
Every year more females are joining the technical workforce and breaking barriers in S.T.E.M. fields.
The STEM symposium was created to introduce 7th, 8th, and 9th grade girls to the world of information technology (IT). The Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas inspires girls to explore IT with an emphasis on how STEM is used in business.
Join us for the STEM Symposium where Girls are Getting Involved as Rising Leaders in S.T.E.M., learn more about STEM opportunities and discover if IT is something for you!
Welcome
The Symposium is a great opportunity for girls to get introduced to the benefits of a STEM degree. UT Dallas is a great supporter of STEM and home to a nationwide leading undergraduate program – Information Technology and Systems.
Experience first hand what it takes to be technical degree holders. Attend some exciting sessions, talk to experienced panelists, network with faculty and students. All this capsuled into two days. We look forward to seeing you.
Benefits
Symposium students get to:
- learn emerging technologies
- meet women professionals who are engaged in IT
- practice using STEM tools and technologies with their hands
- dine with JSOM students, staff and faculty
- engage with panel discussions with both students and women in the field
Activities
- “Work with Arduino Boards”
- “Jump into Data Analytics”
- “Learn how to code”
- “Learn about Supply Chain Management”
- “Explore UT Dallas Campus”
Sponsors

Thank you, High Tech High Heels, for your continued support of the G.I.R.L.S. STEM Symposium
Contact Us
I am so excited about the opportunities available in this growing field and girls have so much to offer. Please contact us to learn more about our growing program and events.
Agenda
Time | Event | Room Venue |
---|---|---|
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Check-In | JSOM EDR Reception |
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Data Analytics OR Supply Chain |
JSOM Lab 1.211 JSOM 11.202 |
5:30 – 5:45 p.m. | Break | |
5:45 – 7:15 p.m. | Supply Chain OR Data Analytics |
JSOM Lab 1.211 JSOM 11.202 |
7:15 – 7:30 p.m. | Break | |
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. | Dinner and Keynote | JSOM EDR 1.606 |
9:00 – 9:15 pm | Student Check-Out | JSOM EDR 1.606 |
Time | Event | Room Venue |
---|---|---|
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Check-In and Breakfast | JSOM Undergraduate Lounge |
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Programming OR Arduino Boards |
JSOM Lab 1.302 JSOM Lab 1.211 |
10:30 – 12 p.m. | Programming OR Arduino Boards |
JSOM Lab 1.302 JSOM Lab 1.211 |
12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch/STEM in Business | JSOM Atrium JSOM Lab 1.217 |
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Reverse Career Fair | JSOM Atrium |
3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Break | JSOM Atrium |
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Activity | JSOM Lab 1.211 |
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Check-Out | JSOM Atrium |
We are happy to provide an excuse of absence letter as needed.
Arrival Information
Drop off and Pick up on Friday, March 27, will be at the Executive Dining Room, Jindal School of Management, JSOM 1.606. Drop off and Pick-up on Saturday, March 28, will be in the JSOM Undergraduate Lounge and JSOM Atrium, Jindal School of Management. You may park in Lot M, Lot Q and Parking Structure 1. Parking passes will be provided.
Address:
Jindal School of Management
800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX
Printable Campus Parking Map

We are happy to announce that the G.I.R.L.S. STEM Symposium received a sponsorship award from High Tech High Heels again this year! Registration for this event is a nominal $10. Your registration fee covers meals and snacks, T-shirt, and materials used.
You may request a full refund up to 48 hours prior to the start of the event. No refunds will be issued after that.

Did you know?
IT is one of the fastest-growing job sectors and women remain underrepresented in the IT workforce. Here at UT Dallas, 30% of our ITS students are female. We are working to increase that number!
Registration
Registration closedApplicants must be 7th, 8th, or 9th grade at the beginning of the 2018 school year.
WE VALUE A DIVERSE CLASSROOM AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICATIONS FROM: Girls and boys of all ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Forms
Instructions for completing the forms
- Filling out forms is mandatory. Registration will not be complete without the return of forms. Download and complete the forms manually. You can either bring completed forms on Friday, April 5 or scan them and email to itsacademy@utdallas.edu.

Monnica Rose
Keynote Speaker
Monnica earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and has worked in the defense industry for over 30 years. Monnica holds a number of leadership roles in her job at L3 Technologies and in various organizations outside the workplace.
Click here to learn more about Monnica

Amber Sodikov
Arduino Boards Instructor
Amber is a graduate of University of North Texas with a degree in Electrical Engineering. She works as an Engineer for USAA.
Click here to learn more about Amber

Cynthia Hunt
Supply Chain Instructor
Cynthia supports the undergraduate Supply Chain Management Program. She has a BS in Applied Technology from Texas State University and a Masters of Education from Arizona State University. Cynthia has a passion for student success, both while completing their academic program and in securing a full-time job.
Click here to learn more about Cynthia

Dawn Owens
Information Technology and Systems Professor and Program Director
Dawn received her Ph.D. in Information Technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has worked in the professional environment with industry experience encompassing both technical and management expertise.
Click here to learn more about Dawn

Monica Brussolo
Supply Chain Instructor
Monica E. Brussolo is Senior Lecturer at the Naveen Jindal School of Management at UTD and Faculty Advisor of the UTD Informs Student Chapter. She obtained her Ph.D. and Master’s degree from The University of Texas at Dallas, as well as an MBA from Texas A&M International University.
Click here to learn more about Monica

Sonia Leach
Supply Chain Instructor
Dr. Leach is a Clinical Professor at UT Dallas teaching courses in the Supply Chain Management program. She retired from the United States Air Force after a 20-year active-duty career and has been a professor at UTD since 2012
Click here to learn more about Sonia

Melissa Haertling
Programming Instructor
Melissa is a native Texan and current BS-ITS Student. She has worked on campus for the Center for Computer Science and Outreach, been a camp instructor and residential camp counselor. She will be working as an Intern this summer at BNSF Railway.
Click here to learn more about Melissa

Sravya Vemulapati
Data Analytics Instructor
Sravya is a current BS-ITS Student and member of the ITS Leadership Council. Sravya is graduating in May 2019 and going to work for Deloitte as an SAP Business Technology Analyst.
Click here to learn more about Sravya

Sharvari Gangal
Industry Panelist/Volunteer
Sharvari is an Applications Consultant at Capgemini. She is a graduate of the BS-ITS program at UTD and was a Student Assistant for the ITS program and officer for the Women in Technology and Business student organization.
Click here to learn more about Sharvari

Wendy Walker
Industry Panelist
Wendy is a graduate of Texas A&M with 16 years of experience within a Global IT Professional Services firm. She is a senior IT professional, wife, mother, engaging communicator, and leader of numerous charity initiatives.
Click here to learn more about Wendy
Testimonials – Spring 2019 G.I.R.L.S. Symposium
It made me realize how large of a role business plays in the IT field.
It let me see and understand what information technology actually is and how it helps people in their everyday life
It showed me that IT was different then what i thought, which was IT only deals with computers and coding. Now I know it much broader than that.
I honestly wasn’t too sure about what ITS was before this event, and I didn’t think it could be something fun that I’d enjoy, but I realized that it can be quite fun!
It was fun to go to different events and try cool things and meet cool people. Overall I loved everything
My favorite part about this event was the programming and the Arduino boards
This in an amazing event and it was very fun and educational. Me and my friend will definitely come back next year! We loved it so much because we got to explore our interests (mine was particularly robotics and circuit board) while having a lot of fun. Thank you for this experience!
Everyone who was involved did a great job! I hope to come next time.