UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Twenty-four undergraduate and graduate students from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) joined other women and nonbinary technologists from around the globe for the Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 (GHC 24). The event, which marked its 30th year, was held Oct. 8-11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
This year’s theme was “me + we,” embodying the spirit of standing together and lifting one another up in the tech industry. Guest speakers, including actresses America Ferrara and Viola Davis, called attendees to action, encouraging them to embrace their unique journeys, take risks and make an impact on their own terms while supporting each other’s growth to move forward together.
“The 'me + we' theme really resonated with me,” said Lindy Hernandez, a graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree in informatics. “It was a reminder of how — in a quickly changing world that can sometimes feel overwhelming — community and connections are essential to personal and professional growth.”
Networking events included the Early Career Reception, the Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Technologists Reception and the Celebrating Black Technologists Reception. Each gathering promoted the diversity and strength of the tech community, welcoming attendees to find their people, share their stories and forge new connections.
“It truly was a transformative experience for me,” said Frances Nwabudike, a second-year student majoring in enterprise technology integration. “One thing that really stood out was realizing how vast and accessible the tech industry can be. Hearing from women who took just one certificate course or training and completely transformed their career paths was eye-opening and showed me that tech isn’t limiting — it’s filled with opportunities if you’re willing to be resourceful and proactive."
Breakout sessions and workshops included discussions like “Can I Cry at Work? and Other Advice From a Modern Mentor” and “You’re Not Alone: Finding Community as a Neurodivergent Woman in Tech,” highlighting the importance of authentic community.
“GHC 24 transformed my view of cybersecurity as a field and my perspective as a woman in this field,” said Isabella Masso, a third-year student majoring in cybersecurity analytics and operations. “It gave me the chance to connect with extraordinary women, share our experiences and learn from some of the brightest minds in technology. The experience was truly an inspiring reminder of the power of women in tech and that working together can bring endless possibilities.”
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm talked about the future of clean energy tech and the role of entrepreneurs in combating climate change. Amanda Ralston, founder and CEO of NonBinary Solutions, offered insights on neurodiversity advocacy and how adaptations intended for one group can benefit everyone.
“I heard from so many successful, kind and humble women who shared their stories and inspirations to the incoming generations,” said Madlyn Mondoil, a third-year student majoring in human-centered design and development. "With my interests in technology and healthcare, a standout moment for me was attending a discussion regarding a user-experience research analysis of current reproductive issues in our society.”
Technical workshops like “Data Stream Builders: Interactive Pipeline Design Workshop” and “Mastering Cloud Security Environments: Workshop for Experienced Developers” provided hands-on opportunities to use different software, collaborate on code, and understand how to make the internet more accessible for everyone.
“It was an honor to engage with multiple brilliant minds in pursuit of opening opportunities and uplifting the voices of women in the technological sectors of our industries,” said Gina Seo, a third-year student majoring in data sciences. “The conference talks on representation and empowerment for women in the workforce — along with the hands-on sessions using machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science — were extremely useful in terms of how I can succeed in my career trajectory and utilize my skills to uplift the women around me.”
GHC 24 was the 30th anniversary of the conference, and attendance exceeded 30,000.
“It was an honor to attend this celebration of women in tech — especially on its 30th anniversary,” said Anhjay Brown, a third-year student majoring in data sciences. “Thirty years of breaking barriers, amplifying voices and empowering women and people around the world. I left this conference feeling empowered and more motivated than ever to contribute to the field.”