IT Connects

Fall 2020

The Division of IT has advanced our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts by:

IT Mini Book Club, book icon Promote IT Connects, IT Connects logo DEI at TechDay 2020, TechDay icon and an illustration of a person on video Adobe Spark Workshops

  • Launched the IT Mini Book Club – The Book of Unknown Americans
    • Met weekly to review and discuss chapters
    • Separate group discussion with managers
    • Podcast discussing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Fractional Friends takes a deep look at the many facets of DEI. Weekly discussion amongst IT teams.
  • Continue to promote IT Connects to bring the Division of IT together and embrace cultural diversity
    • Distributed Weekly
    • Segment on IT Holiday Traditions to help foster a sense of family and togetherness
  • Included DEI sessions at virtual TechDay 2020
    • Our immersive annual event, TechDay, was modified for a virtual environment. In it, the Division of IT wanted to give attendees a diverse approach to technology, including how technology impacts DEI efforts.
      • Dr. Sumun Pendakur, opened up TechDay 2020 with her Keynote address which provided great insight into how the utilization of technology can either advance inequalities or challenge the status quo.
      • Tara Hughes' session on Impostor Syndrome and Information Technology generated a lot of interest and helped attendees look at their own personal experiences and learn steps to help identify and mitigate impostor syndrome.
  • IT Holiday Party
    • The Annual IT Holiday party took a digital turn as staff entered "The Matrix" to celebrate the season and a year of innovation.
    • CSUF President Virjee stopped by to congratulate the IT Team for their initiative and dedication. 
  • Began planning a division-wide Adobe Spark workshop to encourage digital literacy and provide our staff with a creative medium in which to tell their stories and share their experiences.

Book of Unknown Americans, Trivia Page

Image of Dr. Sumun Pendakur and VP IT, Dr. Amir Dabirian

Zoom look at the IT Holiday party with special guest, CSUF President Fram Virjee