1st black female computer science PhD student at Univ. of Michigan

[theworldismine13]

1st black female computer science PhD student at Univ. of Michigan reveals lack of rolemodels | theGrio

“Am I really the first?”

That was the first thought that came to mind when Kyla McMullen, 29, found out she would soon become University of Michigan’s first African-American female computer science PhD alumna this past year.

McMullen decided to go to the records office to search for another fellow black female alumnus to connect with. But she soon discovered that she would become the first black female student in the history of the program to complete the PhD.

“Typically when you think of someone who is in computer science, you think of a person who is a geek — with pocket protectors, suspenders and highwater pants,” McMullen joked in a phone interview with theGrio. “African-American women often don’t think ‘Okay, I wanna be that [nerd].””

While McMullen’s graduation this past spring marked a racial landmark for Michigan’s computer science department, she said that her experience in the department was sometimes “isolating” because she had very few people to turn to for mentorship.


(Courtesy of Kyla McMullen)

“If you’re a black woman who’s interested [in computer science], you think you’re going to be the only person that looks like you,” McMullen said. “Everyone knows Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, but there is really no one famous that is African-American. The lack of role models or even the lack of someone who looks like you is one huge factor that influences why black women don’t pursue computer science.”

McMullen admits she did face some obstacles during the process of obtaining her graduate degree. She remembers during her first semester, the graduate student liaison told her, “I’ve never taught one of ‘you’ before.” McMullen never understood why the liaison called her ‘one of you’ but she quickly brushed off that awkward experience.

It wasn’t until her second year at graduate school, where she really felt discrimination.

“My [graduate program chair] told me, ‘Not everyone is cut out to study computer science. Have you tried any other careers?’ He said I didn’t have what it took to study computer science,” she said. “That was the only time someone blatantly said to me to my face that I couldn’t do something. I can’t assign a reason why he said that, but I’m pretty sure it’s because of the way of I looked… I was really taken back of how dismissive he was about me.”

But despite some minor roadblocks, the 29-year old has been able to fulfill one of her lifelong dreams to walk the stage to receive her graduate degree in computer science this past spring.

 

[newworldafro]

 

[Box Cutta]

“My [graduate program chair] told me, ‘Not everyone is cut out to study computer science. Have you tried any other careers?’

Stupid fukking cacs.

 

[No1]

"Those who stay will be champions."

 

[Type Username Here]

A career that impacts the world and is extremely difficult, especially at the graduate level and beyond.

Props to her for her achievement.

 

[Mowgli]

My counselor in high school told me i should mop floors. O the bigotry.

 

[Type Username Here]

My counselor in high school told me i should mop floors. O the bigotry.

That wasn't bigotry, just a fact.

 

[Skooby]

I can't wait for the day when this is no longer newsworthy. I hope it's in my lifetime.

 

[Type Username Here]

I can't wait for the day when this is no longer newsworthy. I hope it's in my lifetime.

The way educational trends are going for blacks and latinos, I'm sad to say that it doesn't look so good.

 

[Mowgli]

That wasn't bigotry, just a fact.

Well i went on to mop jiujitsu mats with Brazillian cats you know, clowns like you, so maybe she was onto something

 

[Type Username Here]

Well i went on to mop jiujitsu mats with Brazillian cats you know, clowns like you, so maybe she was onto something

Why you got to sit here and tell lies?

You know those Brazilians give you the business day in and day out.

You probably pick on the newcomers, women and infants to boost your head.

 

[Mowgli]

Why you got to sit here and tell lies?

You know those Brazilians give you the business day in and day out.

You probably pick on the newcomers, women and infants to boost your head.

Im actually one of the best students. We had a royal rumble tapathon 30 men. Last man standing wins. Got 3rd place. Im obviously ridiculously tough and when i say ive mopped floors with brazillian clowns like you im not lying. I mean they tough but come on we talkin bout your boy Mowgli here. The onyl newcomers i pick on are the marines. Its so easy and simplistic to crush them with their primitive grappling skills. Ive had more difficult opponent from cats who do backyard wrestling. Dont know wtf they teachin yall in there but that shyt needs to be retooled. They should probably bring in a brazillian jiujitsu instructor because id say out of all the newcomers who are tough guys clowns like you are the easiest to destroy.

 

[Type Username Here]

Im actually one of the best students. We had a royal rumble tapathon 30 men. Last man standing wins. God 3rd place. Im obviously tough and when i say ive mopped floors with brazillian cats im not lying. I mean they tough but come on we talkin bout your boy Mowgli here. The onyl newcomers i pick on are the marines. Its so easy and simplistic to crush them with their feeble grappling skills. Dont know wtf they teachin yall in there but that shyt needs to be retooled. They should probably bring in a brazillian jiujitsu instructor because id say out of all the newcomers who are tough guys clowns like you are the easiest to destroy.

I would hope that a person who has been taking BJJ for as long as you can beat a Marine who doesn't know how to defend against BJJ, otherwise you're instructor was ass. They probably got you on the striking though. Don't lie.

Doesn't change the fact that Brazilians taught you, and that get your ass handed to you by Brazilians on a daily basis.

 

[Mowgli]

I would hope that a person who has been taking BJJ for as long as you can beat a Marine who doesn't know how to defend against BJJ, otherwise you're instructor was ass. They probably got you on the striking though. Don't lie.

Doesn't change the fact that Brazilians taught you, and that get your ass handed to you by Brazilians on a daily basis.

My coach is epic. We dont have many brazillians at my spot. Ive gone to other schools and mopped up their brazillians though. Im a jiujitsu fighter i dont get in boxing matches. I have to keep something for Brazillian women and black women with computer science phd's to enjoy bruh. Sorry they didnt get me in striking but ive only struk with marines who were around my weight. Their striking was so uncrispy that i just took them down to get it over with. Im 5'10 190 O wow im so brolic A im done with this discussion i gotta go kiss my biceps.

 

[A-Train]

Very happy to see this but......
....where r the pics? is she cute too?