Inaugural Digital Dudes conference at Eastern Michigan University provides venue to encourage first generation middle school males to consider careers in STEM

Digital Dudes

YPSILANTI – Nearly 100 middle school boys traveled to Eastern Michigan University’s campus to learn about careers and college programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on November 8.

The one-day inaugural event, called Digital Dudes, was held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the EMU McKenny Hall ballroom, located at 878 W. Cross Street.

During the event, participants had a chance to explore multiple interactive STEM sessions and network with industry leaders, professors and students.

“At EMU, we strongly believe recruiting and supporting the young people the U.S. needs in the fast-growing technology and computer science fields requires strong commitment and leadership,” said Bia Hamed, coordinator of student services for the EMU College of Engineering & Technology, and Digital Divas program director. “The Digital Divas conference has been wildly successful over the past nine years, so we felt it was the right time to launch a Digital Dudes program. We were overwhelmed by the positive response and are thankful to the educators, organizations and the community that supported Digital Dudes to make it a success.”

The doors opened at 8 a.m. and the main program began at 9:15 a.m., with opening remarks from two keynote guest speakers, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Theodore Johnson, Director, Aircraft Dispatch Program at Eastern Michigan University.

Digital Dudes’ mission is to provide a venue to encourage first generation young middle & high school males to consider careers in STEM by:

  • Exposing them to a college campus and classrooms
  • Participating in hands-on activities with technology
  • Exploring many majors leading to STEM careers
  • Meeting faculty, students and industry leaders in STEM 
  • Encouraging safe & ethical behaviors in digital spaces.

Eastern Michigan’s Extended Programs and the College of Technology are the hosts of the event. To learn more about the Digital Dudes conference, visit the EMU Digital Dudes homepage. For more information, visit the College of Technology programs homepagewww.emich.edu/cot

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

November 13, 2019

Written by:
Morgan Mark

Media Contact:
Morgan Mark
mmark@emich.edu
734-487-4402