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HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HOST GIRLS AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

BRIDGEPORT - More than 120 seventh grade girls from across Central and Western Connecticut will assemble at Housatonic Community College on Tuesday, March 26 for a comprehensive Girls and Technology exposition.

The young women, who will journey from as far away as Stamford and Hartford, will receive a day-long exposure to the use of technology in a wide range of fields such as law enforcement, science, art, physical therapy, health and medicine, and manufacturing. Highlighting the program will by talks by Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco Jr. and Housatonic President Janis M Hadley.

The event is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Girls and Technology Network, the Westover School, the American Association of University Women, the Southwestern Area Health Education Center (SW AHEC), and Housatonic.

“The exposition is designed to introduce young women to technology and technology-based careers,” said Melba Lee, health careers coordinator with the SW AHEC. “The field of technology itself is expanding rapidly, as are the number of fields that are dependent upon technology - and they are fields in which women are vastly underrepresented.”

“Computer skills are essential in today’s workplace, so much so that it is nearly impossible to pursue a career without a knowledge of computers and computer technology,” added Jean Rozett, co-chair of the Connecticut Girls and Technology Network.

“Seventh grade is perhaps the most appropriate time to introduce young women to this field,” explained Ann S. Pollina, head of the Westover School. “They are at the age where they begin thinking about a career path and are impressionable enough to become captivated by such an exciting field.”

“If the field captures their interest, the students still have ample time in their secondary school careers to build the academic foundation they need to pursue a technology-based career,” said Marcelline Barron, math and science coordinator for the Fairfield Public School system and member of the American Association of University Women.

In addition to speakers from various fields, the students will have the opportunity to view some sixteen exhibits drawn from technology-based fields. Exhibitors will include Alloy Engineering, Bridgeport Hospital, the Connecticut State Police, SBC Communications, GE Women’s Network, SW AHEC, Housatonic, and the Schwerdtle Stamp Company.

Students from Bridgeport, Trumbull, Monroe, Cheshire, Stratford, Shelton, Fairfield, Wallingford, Hartford, and Stamford are expected to attend.

With a five-year old campus in the heart of Connecticut’s largest city, Housatonic is one of the fastest-growing public community colleges in the United States. Since it moved to the new downtown campus in 1997, Housatonic’s enrollment has increased 60 percent. According to the most recent statistics, released by the Washington D.C.-based American Association of Community Colleges, Housatonic was ranked among the nation’s 34 fastest-growing public community colleges and was third fastest in the Northeast.

In response to increased enrollments and changing workplace needs both regionally and nationally, Housatonic has increased the number of programs offered from 43 to 65 since moving to its new campus.

“Sponsoring the exposition,” said Housatonic President Hadley, “represents one more step toward the college’s goal of becoming the central educational resource meeting the greater Bridgeport region’s educational needs. Housatonic Community College is pleased to introduce these young women to interesting, challenging fields, careers that continue to have tremendous growth potential.”