“Diversity hasn’t always been at the forefront in this career. More recently, we have had more women and people of color in this field. Overall higher education and specifically our campus has been more intentional about recruiting and retaining a diverse staff,” says Candice Nicole Solomon–Strutz, Director of IT Services in the College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) and recently appointed Chair of the IT Council Steering Committee. Solomon-Strutz emphasizes how crucial it is for the technology industry to make active efforts in increasing diversity. She notes that diversity can introduce different perspectives in the organization, which produces unity and better teamwork among professionals.  

Being a minority in the technology field can be a challenge for many African Americans. In order to bypass these challenges, many Black students and professionals must lean on each other for support. Registered organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) provide a space for Black people in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related majors to form a community. Resources such as professional development, mock interviews, leadership opportunities, and community outreach are ways for Black students in technology to be supported. Elias Dawit Hadgu, President of NSBE and 2023 recipient of the Knight of St. Patrick Award, advises his fellow peers to recognize that “you are in college for yourself, but not by yourself. There are resources like the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNACC), NSBE, and people here who want you to succeed. You belong here because someone saw your application and believed in your skills and talent.” 

During an interview with Black Issues in Higher Education, Clarence Ellis reflected on his experience with discrimination in the academic and career space, commenting that “people often put together images of what I am supposed to be.” Black professionals’ skills and knowledge are often questioned because of their race. Black History Month is a reminder that even within technology jobs, inclusion and equity is needed more than ever.