Washington featured in Duke Science and Technology

Dr.Nicki Washighton was recently featured in “ Empowering Women in STEM Through Collaborative Innovation.” The article highlights how Duke’s Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering departments were recently recognized as one of the top 20 best colleges for women in STEM. This recognition was due to the Departments' long-standing collaboration in education and research in these fields.

In the article, Dr. Washington is celebrated as a leader in the Computer Science department for empowering women, particularly women of color. One of Dr. Washington’s most popular classes at Duke University, “Race, Gender, and Computing,” has reached hundreds of students, teaching social justice concepts within the context of Computer Science and addressing the racial and sexist biases that persist in the field. Additionally, she founded and directed the Cultural Competency in Computing (3C) Fellows Program, which has trained over 320 faculty, administrators, and staff from 80 organizations across five countries. The program focuses on systemic change, inclusive policies, and personal practices for fostering diversity. Dr. Washington’s efforts to expand opportunities in Computer Science education have earned national recognition for encouraging a more inclusive and equitable field. Through her work and leadership, she continues to inspire change, leading to her ultimate goal of ensuring that Computer Science is a space for all.