Founded in 1999, CSWN is a student led organization at Purdue University dedicated to helping women in the Computer Science (CS) field.
President
Year: 2021, Senior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Rujula is a senior majoring in computer science and is excited to share her passion for supporting women tech by serving as the club's president this year. Outside of computer science Rujula in involved with Purdue Solutions a technical consulting club and has been a part of Boiler Bhangra Purdue's competitive Indian dance for the past 3 years. Rujula is excited about what the CSWN has in store for the upcoming school year and can't wait to meet all of the new members!
Puzzle Master
Year: 2025, Sophomore
Major: Mathematics and Computer Science
Kate is a sophomore double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. Her favorite parts of CSWN are the welcoming, supportive community and making puzzles for Puzzle Day. Kate is also part of the Research Accelerator Learning Community. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, running, and reading.
Marketing Director
Year: 2023, Junior
Major: Computer Science
Saisravani is a Computer Science major pursuing the Software Engineering and Machine Intelligence tracks. Her favorite part of being involved with CSWN is the supporting and welcoming community. She also loves meeting new people by attending the various events and workshops. She likes to draw, paint pictures of nature and play Valorant in her free time.
Vice President
Year: 2023, Senior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematics
Cassandra is a Computer Science major and hopes to pursue the Security track and a minor in Math. Her favorite part of CSWN is getting to know fellow women in CS and taking part in fun events. She is also a mentor in the Women in Science Program. Outside of CS, she has played French horn for the past 10 years and continues to play in the Purdue concert bands.
Secretary
Year: 2023, Senior
Major: Data Science and Applied Statistics
Minor: Sociology
Amanda is a senior majoring in Data Science and Applied Statistics with an intended minor in Sociology. She first joined CSWN as a freshman and loves the inclusive environment it fosters. She was previously on the philanthropy committee and is excited to serve as the secretary this year! At Purdue, she is also involved with WISP (the Women in Science Program) as a mentor. In her free time, she likes to try new recipes and watch Marvel movies with her friends.
President
Year: 2024, Junior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Naveena is majoring in Computer Science with the Machine Learning track and minoring in Psychology with the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Since first programmming in high school, Naveena has loved how coding is a balance between both structure and freedom. She is also passionate about uplifting underepresented groups in STEM industries and CSWN has been a wonderful opportunity for her to get involved and build an inclusive community for women in CS (and STEM) at Purdue. When taking a break from coding, Naveena enjoys watching movies (Studio Ghibli movies are her favorite!), trying new and funky ice cream flavors (strawberry saffron is surprisingly good) and spiraling over conspiracy theories (just look up Project Sunshine...).
Vice President
Year: 2020, Senior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Business Econ
Prasha serves as the Vice President of CSWN.
Corporate Liaison
Year: 2023, Senior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Business Econ, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate
Snekha (pronounced without the k) is a Computer Science major and hopes to pursue the Machine Learning track and minor in Business Economics. Since her introduction to programming in high school, she has been passionate about achieving better representation and gender equality in the tech industry. Her favorite part of CSWN is the supportive network that has been built by women who are dedicated to supporting one another. Apart from CS, Snekha has been an Indian classical dancer for over 13 years and has been a member of Purdue Aharya for a year. She is a DIY enthusiast and loves anything crime fiction.
Treasurer
Year: 2024, Junior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Statistics
Ishika will be a junior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Statistics pursuing the Machine Intelligence and Database and Information Systems tracks. On campus, she is a mentor for the Women in Science Residential Program and has been a part of CSWN for 2 years. She has been involved in CS for over 4 years now, and she loves CSWN's message and dedication to supporting women in the tech field. In her free time, she enjoys reading, tutoring kids, playing instruments, and hanging out with her dog.
Corporate Liaison
Year: 2023, Junior
Major: Data Science and Applied Statistics
Minor: Management
Macie is a Data Science and Applied Statistics major also pursuing a minor in Management. With no prior coding experience before coming to Purdue, she's passionate about supporting others who are new to programming. Her favorite part of CSWN is forming together with other women to create a supportive network and community of women in STEM. Outside of CSWN Macie is an Admissions Ambassador (tour guide), is involved in Boiler Gold Rush, and is a mentor for Women in Science Programs. She loves the outdoors and is a Spotify over Apple Music supporter.
Treasurer
Year: 2022, Junior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Math
Meghan is the Treasurer for CSWN for 2020-21 and she has been a member of CSWN since her first semester of freshman year. She loves to be involved with the CS department at Purdue including Hackathons and events put on by our many student-led organizations. She is also a member of AIF meant to celebrate South Asian culture at Purdue. She plans to graduate Purdue and get an MBA after some industry experience. In her free time, she likes to play guitar and sing and to have movie nights with her friends.
Webmaster
Year: 2023, Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Management
Neerali is a sophomore majoring in computer science, her passion to be part of CSWN came from her introduction to programming from Girls Who Code. She hopes to learn more about cybersecurity and machine learning during her time at Purdue. Apart from being the CSWN Webmaster, she serves on the executive board in the Computer Science Undergraduate Student Board and is an active sister of Phi Sigma Rho a sorority for women in STEM. Her favorite aspect of CSWN is the fostering and uplifting environment where women in CS can come together and learn ways to boost their career. Her future aspirations are to work in the field of cybersecurity and lead programs that teach young girls how to code. In her free time she listens to audiobooks, goes on runs, and hangs out with her friends!
Puzzle Day Director
Year: 2022, Junior
Major: Computer Science and Applied Mathematics
Atreyee is a junior majoring in computer science and mathematics. Along with being a part of CSWN, she is also a TA for MA366 (Ordinary Differential Equations). Besides her interest in CS and math, Atreyee enjoys playing video games, painting, and playing the piano.
Puzzle Master
Year: 2022, Senior
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematics and Earth, Atmosphere, and Planetary Science
Zoe is a senior in CS, with minors in Math and EAPS, as as part of the Honors College. She is a part of the Algorithmic Foundations Track, one focused on the more theoretical side of Computer Science. She has been a part of CSWN for the past 3 years, as a tester her sophomore year, and the Puzzle Master last year. She has been part of a mentoring program called Global Science Partners since last year and is a Team Leader this year. In her spare time Zoe is often reading, watching TV, or going on a walk.
Marketing Specialist
Year: 2023, sophomore
Major: Data Science
Minor: Management
Leyla is a sophomore majoring in data science. Her favorite part of CSWN is the warm and welcoming atmosphere that the members and officers create. CSWN helped her feel more confident about being able to achieve highly in her major and showed her what there is to love about her major. She says the strong community of support that CSWN provides was crucial during her transition into college. Some of her goals after graduating Purdue include becoming an entrepreneur by inventing her own software and traveling the world. Apart from CSWN Leyla is also a Special Events Committee Member for Purdue University Dance Marathon where she organizes, plans, and sets up special events on campus to fundraise for the dance marathon. She is also a part of the Hello World Hackathon Finance Team which involves connecting and communicating with other companies in order to gain potential sponsors for the hackathon. CSWN continues to be one of Leyla's favorite parts of her college experience.
Puzzle Day Director
Year: 2023, Junior
Major: Honors Computer Science and Mathematics
Frances is a junior majoring in CS and math with a strong interest in robotics, computational geometry and kinematics, rocketry, autonomous systems, and control theory. In her free time she likes to make projects at the intersections of these fields, such as flight computers for her scratch build rockets, or creating kinematic models for her Stewart platform named Stewie. Besides CSWN, she is also involved in the Purdue 3D Printing Club, Purdue Space Program, and outreach programs such as AB7G and Coder Dojo. She also enjoys TA'ing various CS classes at Purdue, and finds it very fun. Outside of academics, she enjoys riding her bike, reading, and film photography.
Founding Member
The woman who started it all, Barbara Clark founded the CSWN we know today. By doing so, she has brought hundreds of women together under the bond of computer science. Barb dedicated her time at Purdue making sure that CSWN was alive and thriving, and she remained the Faculty Advisor for CSWN until she retired in 2014.
Faculty Advisor
Sonia Fahmy is the faculty advisor for CSWN. Sonia started off her role as Faculty Advisor with Barbara Clark in fall 2013 and took over as the sole advisor in October of 2015 once Barb retired. Sonia is a professor in the CS department at Purdue University.
Alumnus
Bridgette graduated from Purdue in May 2016 and is currently working as a Program Manager at Microsoft.
Alumnus
Andrea Lynn Evensen (née Carollo) (B.S. Comp. Sci. 2001) graduated from Purdue with Distinction after having received numerous scholarships and being, inter alia, the Vice President of Mortar Board and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, she attended the John Marshall Law School (J.D. 2004) and was, inter alia, a published member of Law Review, a twice published Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Morrissey Scholars, and an Associate Justice for Moot Court. She graduated magna cum laude. Ms. Evensen is an associate with Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., and is a registered patent attorney. She was named a 2009 Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers. Her intellectual property law practice focuses on litigation disputes, including those involving trade secrets, patents, software-related matters, and contracts. With a background in computer science, her prosecution docket focuses not only on patent prosecution in the computer arts, but also comprises patent prosecution and opinion writing in the mechanical arts, medical arts, and business methods. Her practice also includes copyright and trademark issues. Ms. Evensen is married to Michael Evensen (B.S. M.E.T. 2001), and together they have a wonderful son named Gregory and a dog named Cinder Scrumps. They reside in Elgin, Illinois.
Alumnus
Valerie Anne Fenwick (née Bubb) is a Staff Engineer at Sun Microsystems with over a decade of experience in computer security. Valerie is currently working on getting the Solaris Cryptographic Framework, of which she was a designer and major contributor, certified by US Government standards (FIPS-140). She is the lead for the Open Solaris Change Request Team, responsible for making decisions as to what code changes are incorporated into the Operating System and Networking consolidation, and one of the sponsors for the Open Solaris project. She is a leader in redefining the software bugtracking strategy and processes used across Sun today. Previously Valerie was the technical lead for the release of Solaris 10 1/06 and was responsible for the NAT implementation as well as other network security features of the SunScreen firewall. Valerie has a B.S. in Computer Science from Purdue University. In her spare time, she enjoys performing at community theaters, riding her bike, and skiing.
Alumnus
Erika Shehan Poole is a PhD candidate in human-centered computing at Georgia Tech. Her research focuses on how groups collaborate to use, maintain, and make sense of computing technologies; areas of study have included home technology maintenance practices, public understandings of emerging technologies, workplace adoption of collaboration software, and collaborative gaming technologies for improving health and wellness. Erika holds a BS degree in computer science from Purdue University and an MS in computer science from Georgia Tech. She is a member of IEEE, ACM, SIGCHI, and the ACM US Public Policy Committee. She has been awarded a Georgia Tech Presidential Fellowship, an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, a US Department of Homeland Security Fellowship, and the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship. In 2006-2007, she was a pre-doctoral fellow in the Sam Nunn International Security Program. In her spare time, Erika is a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center, and an active member of Toastmasters International.
Alumnus
Janice Zdankus is Vice President of Infrastructure Software and Blades Services in the Enterprise Business Group and Technology Services division at Hewlett-Packard. She is responsible for profitable revenue growth and customer satisfaction of worldwide software support services, a high-growth segment of the HP Services portfolio. She is also responsible for customer experience and quality for the company's Enterprise Infrastructure Software and Blades products. Previously, Zdankus led Worldwide Warranty Planning and Strategy as a Senior Director for the Enterprise Storage and Server Group at HP. Prior to that, she was Senior Research and Development Director leading the diagnostics and system event management engineering laboratory for Business Critical Servers Division. Since first joining HP in 1985 as a software design engineer, Zdankus has held several other senior leadership positions in marketing, customer support and business planning. Zdankus earned Bachelor degrees in Computer Science and Industrial Management from Purdue University. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Santa Clara University in California.
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Puzzle Day is an all day event, where participants spend the day solving fun, challenging puzzles. Winners received cool prizes like Xbox, 3D Doodler, and Rubik's Cubes. Everyone got pizza and free t-shirts!
Pictures from the annual CSWN photo shoot
A panel of proffessionals from various tech companies came and talked about women in technology. Panelists shared their experiences working at tech companies, and gave advice for leveling the playing field.
New CS students attended the 2016 Fall Callout to learn more about CSWN. The night started off with an icebreaker, and ended with Insomnia cookies.
If you are a Computer Science related company and would like to sponsor CSWN, please contact us at cswn@cs.purdue.edu.
ELFI is an organization designed to assist and educate borrowers with student loan debt. To help female students pursue their dreams, they've put together a guide to the best STEM scholarships for women.
The USB is a group made up of a maximum of twelve undergraduates in the Department of Computer Science who are determined to make Purdue a better place to study and obtain a degree.
Purdue Hackers is a community of students devoted to the idea that Purdue needs to embrace the kind of "hacker culture" that's found in places like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and Austin. Their mission is to bring that culture here by hosting events where hackers can meet and learn from one another.
ACM at Purdue is an organization for connecting students, faculty and companies for the betterment of the computing community. As a representative of one the world's most influential computing organizations, they provide academic resources, forums for the spreading of ideas, and communities for technological discovery and growth.
WISP is composed of four components: Residential Program, Tutoring Program, Undergraduate Mentoring Program, Graduate Mentoring Program. These four components work together to form a continuous environment that fosters success for students in the College of Science at Purdue University from freshman year through Ph.D.
Systers is a forum for all women involved in the technical aspects of computing. The community has over 6,000 members from at least 60 countries around the world.
A global institute that supports women in technology through many different venues such as the Systers organization and the Grace Hopper Conference.
The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is the World's Largest Gathering of Women Technologists. It is produced by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with ACM.
Purdue's resource for interviews, resume reviews, and help with your job search during school and after graduation.
Location to learn about and apply for scholarships for Purdue Computer Science students.
Has information for all the current events happening for the Purdue CS Department, such as job openings, club meetings and callouts, and company recruitment days.
