From left to right is Isaac, Alyssa, and Briana 

By: Jahzanae Evans 

Girls Who Code is on a mission to reshape the programming field and change how the tech industry is perceived. Their goal is to close the gender gap in technology by creating opportunities for young women to explore computer science. Along with building a community where women feel empowered, supported, and inspired to pursue paths in tech.  

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Girls Who Code meeting with guest speaker Isaac Atif, a lab instructor at Lehman. The topic of the event was Intro to Web Development, and I had the pleasure of speaking with Alyssa Falcon and Briana Deloatch, the current President and Vice President of Girls Who Code.  

Alyssa mentioned that the former President, Yensly Castellanos, and Vice President, Yarlin Guzman, desired to see more women in the computer science field. “It’s been just a year since the club started, stemming from Yensly’s goal of more representation,” Alyssa explains.  

Briana emphasized the club’s role in building community.  She says, "bringing minorities together gives everyone the opportunity to feel included.” When reflecting upon her own experience on campus, Alyssa said, “When I came to Lehman, I did not have a friend group or clique, and Girls Who Code became that community for me.”  

Girls Who Code was founded to welcome a diverse group of students, not only those who major in computer science or have prior coding experience. Briana shares, “We’re open to anyone with an interest in learning tech skills – you don’t have to be a computer science major, or even a girl, to join.” She emphasized that since technology skills are highly sought after, everyone should have access to learning those skills 

Members gain a range of skills that go beyond technical. According to Alyssa, members strengthen their communication skills and build competitive resumes - which is an essential skill, as tech industry resumes differ significantly from those in other fields. Additionally, members have opportunities to learn new programming languages, including CSS and JavaScript. 

Girls Who Code faces a few unique sets of challenges in terms of promoting coding. Briana and Alyssa spoke of how difficult it is to get students to attend meetings, and how a lack of marketing affects turnout. Specifically, Briana said that a lot of newcomers can feel intimidated or feel as though they do not belong. To this, Alyssa offers encouraging advice: “Just come to our events, ask all those questions, and reach out to us.” Everyone starts somewhere, and all newcomers should know that the Girls Who Code community is welcoming and supportive.  

Looking ahead, Alyssa has ambitious plans for the club. One of their key goals is to “arrange visits to partner organizations and tech companies and quite possibly the Girls Who Code headquarters.” By expanding outreach and providing unique experiences, she envisions a future where Girls Who Code can continue to grow as a vibrant community for women in tech. 

To enhance the club’s mission and activities, both students and faculty play a crucial role. Alyssa suggested that having professors and instructors engage with students can create valuable connections within the tech field.  Additionally, fostering relationships with other Girls Who Code chapters can provide more resources and networking opportunities. By collaborating, the school community can help empower the mission behind our chapter.  

On November 20th Girls Who Code is having an exciting collaborative event with the Google Developer Student Club and the ColorStack x Computer Science Club here at Lehman. You can find all the details on Club Central. Make sure you RSVP and stay connected with Girls Who Code via their Instagram, and if you would like to reach out to Alyssa or Briana personally, don’t be afraid to chat with them on LinkedIn.