New Coalition Formed to Increase Hispanic Participation in Computer Science

National nonprofits and organizations unite efforts to boost Hispanic representation in CS

WASHINGTON (12/9/2022). Today, Code.org, College Board, CSforALL, CSTA, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, and KID Museum, announced the launch of a new coalition dedicated to expanding access to, and participation in, computer science (CS) for Hispanic students in education and workforce pathways during CS Week. The Hispanic CS Coalition has chosen social impact PR and advocacy firm, Whiteboard Advisors as the agency of record.

The Hispanic CS Coalition aims to generate a deeper understanding of barriers to participation in CS education among Hispanic learners, advance research on best practices, create programmatic solutions, and recommend policy interventions with the potential to increase representation of Hispanics in CS.

“America’s needs to compete globally in education and the workforce cannot be met without the Latino community being prioritized,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “It is critical we move forward with urgency and purpose to prepare Latinos for jobs of today and the future while also accelerating economic mobility. It is a privilege to partner with Code.org, College Board, CSforAll, CSTA, Siegel Family Endowment, KID Museum, and Whiteboard Advisors as we launch Hispanic CS Coalition and we look forward to adding additional partners in first quarter 2023.”

Recent research found that although Latinos make up nearly 20% of the overall US population with nearly 30% of the student population, Hispanics make up only 7% of the STEM workforce. Further, according to Code.org, only 20% of all Hispanics students enroll in CS courses, additionally Hispanics only make up 8% of CS college graduates. The coalition will focus on the full K-12 – workforce continuum — seeking to find the gaps and create pathways and support to retain Hispanic CS students.

“Hispanic students of all ages are filled with vast potential and unlimited aspirations. They represent a pool of talent that our nation’s employers–and society – so desperately needs,” said Carlos Ignacio Zavala, senior director at Whiteboard Advisors. “This work is about translating ambitions into action by not just raising awareness, but identifying public and private sector levers that can make a difference. Expect us to engage policymakers and employers, academics and funders as we work to unlock the intellectual capital of Hispanic learners.”

“Hispanic youth face systemic and structural barriers to full participation in Computer Science learning opportunities. Without early participation in CS, they lose out on starting a pathway to CS in college and career, and the U.S. loses the unique contributions they would make to our technological landscape,” said Dr. Leign Ann DeLyser, co-founder and executive director of CSforAll.

To get involved in the coalition contact us here.

Media contact: Carlos Zavala – [email protected]