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An ACM Celebration of Women in Computing:

A Kentucky Community College Celebration

March 20th & 21st, 2025

HERIZON
Embarking on Careers in Technology

About Us

Kentucky Community College Women in Computing (KYCCWIC) is a regional ACM-W Celebration of Women in Computing. KYCCWIC connects technical women who are working/studying in Kentucky. The annual conference provides women the opportunity to learn from industry leaders while preparing them for a future career in various technical fields. The 2025 conference will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), computer security, computer programming, data analytics, technology trends, and employment.

HERizon: Embarking on Careers in Technology

This year’s theme "HERizon: Embarking on Careers in Technology" was chosen for our Women in Computing Conference with the goal of empowering and inspiring women to pursue careers in the field of technology. We believe that technology is a rapidly evolving domain with immense potential, and it is crucial to encourage and support women in accessing the opportunities it offers. By selecting this theme, we aim to create a platform where women can explore various career paths within technology, gain insights from accomplished professionals, and build a strong network of like-minded individuals. The term "HERizon" symbolizes the limitless possibilities and horizons that await women in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and embracing the diverse perspectives and talents that women bring to the field. Through the KYCCWIC conference, we aspire to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages women to embark on rewarding careers in technology and make significant contributions to the ever-evolving digital landscape.

KYCCWIC's History

The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing was founded in 1994, and is designed to bring the research and career interest of women in computing to the forefront. It is produced annually by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). It is the world's largest technical conference for women in computing (over 22,000 attendees at the Sep 2019 GHC).

Smaller regional GHC events are held annually to support women within a local geographic area. The KY Community Colleges - Women in Computing (KYCC-WiC) Regional Celebration is the first GHC designed explicitly for women in community colleges.

The first event was held in 2013. Even years are sponsored by NKU, and are focused on 4-year university faculty and students.

Hosted by Maysville Community & Technical College

Maysville Community & Technical College is one of 16 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. It contains four campuses preparing students to improve their quality of life through Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees. In March 2025, we are excited to host An ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: A Kentucky Community College Celebration. We look forward to having you at our beautiful Rowan Campus in Morehead, Kentucky. Thank you and see you soon!

New to Morehead, KY?
Visiting Morehead for the Women in Computing Celebration and need to know a little more about our city? The Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce website is available at Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. You can also check out this helpful website about visiting Morehead at VisitMorehead.com. You can find directions to our Morehead campus here.

We’ve partnered with Comfort Inn & Suites to provide special discounted rates for conference attendees. This is just 1 mile from campus!

Comfort Inn & Suites
2650 KY 801 North
Morehead, KY 40351
606-462-2141

Please call to reserve a room and mention "WIC" to get the discounted rate of $89.
There are also several other hotels in Morehead approximately 5 miles from our campus.

About Us


Kentucky Community College Women in Computing (KYCCWIC) is a regional ACM-W Celebration of Women in Computing. KYCCWIC connects technical women who are working/studying in Kentucky. The annual conference provides women the opportunity to learn from industry leaders while preparing them for a future career in various technical fields. The 2025 conference will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), computer security, computer programming, data analytics, technology trends, and employment.


HERizon: Embarking on Careers in Technology 


This year’s theme "HERizon: Embarking on Careers in Technology" was chosen for our Women in Computing Conference with the goal of empowering and inspiring women to pursue careers in the field of technology. We believe that technology is a rapidly evolving domain with immense potential, and it is crucial to encourage and support women in accessing the opportunities it offers. By selecting this theme, we aim to create a platform where women can explore various career paths within technology, gain insights from accomplished professionals, and build a strong network of like-minded individuals. The term "HERizon" symbolizes the limitless possibilities and horizons that await women in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and embracing the diverse perspectives and talents that women bring to the field. Through the KYCCWIC conference, we aspire to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages women to embark on rewarding careers in technology and make significant contributions to the ever-evolving digital landscape.


KYCCWIC's History


The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing was founded in 1994, and is designed to bring the research and career interest of women in computing to the forefront. It is produced annually by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). It is the world's largest technical conference for women in computing (over 22,000 attendees at the Sep 2019 GHC).


Smaller regional GHC events are held annually to support women within a local geographic area. The KY Community Colleges - Women in Computing (KYCC-WiC) Regional Celebration is the first GHC designed explicitly for women in community colleges.


The first event was held in 2013. Even years are sponsored by NKU, and are focused on 4 year university faculty and students.


The Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing was founded in 1994, and is designed to bring the research and career interest of women in computing to the forefront. It is produced annually by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). It is the world's largest technical conference for women in computing (over 22,000 attendees at the Sep 2019 GHC).


Smaller regional GHC events are held annually to support women within a local geographic area. The KY Community Colleges - Women in Computing (KYCC-WiC) Regional Celebration is the first GHC designed explicitly for women in community colleges.


The first event was held in 2013. Even years are sponsored by NKU, and are focused on 4 year university faculty and students.

Hosted by Maysville Community & Technical College


Maysville Community & Technical College is one of 16 colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. It contains four campuses preparing students to improve their quality of life through Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees. In March 2025, we are excited to host An ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: A Kentucky Community College Celebration. We look forward to having you at our beautiful Rowan Campus in Morehead, Kentucky. Thank you and see you soon!


New to Morehead, KY?
Visiting Morehead for the Women in Computing Celebration and need to know a little more about our city? The Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce website is available at Morehead-Rowan County Chamber of Commerce. You can also check out this helpful website about visiting Morehead at VisitMorehead.com. You can find directions to our Morehead campus here.

We’ve partnered with Comfort Inn & Suites to provide special discounted rates for conference attendees. This is just 1 mile from campus!

Comfort Inn & Suites
2650 KY 801 North
Morehead, KY 40351
606-462-2141

Please call to reserve a room and mention "WIC" to get the discounted rate of $89.
There are also several other hotels in Morehead approximately 5 miles from our campus.

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KYCCWIC
Event Planning Committee

Welcome to the KYCCWIC Event Planning Committee page. Our dedicated team is committed to organizing a memorable event filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and engaging activities for attendees. We look forward to creating an inclusive and enriching experience for all participants.

image of haron Staviski

Sharon Staviski
Co-chair

Sharon Staviski is a full-time Associate Professor teaching Computer Information Technology courses at Maysville Kentucky Community and Technical College - Rowan Campus in Morehead, KY since 2014. She is also the Division Chair for Business & Related Technologies at MCTC and serves as the CIT Program Coordinator. Prior to her full-time status, Sharon worked part-time for 18 years as a business and industry trainer for MCTC’s Workforce Solutions department traveling to area businesses teaching basic computer skills and Microsoft Office applications including many levels of Microsoft Excel. Sharon is a graduate of MCTC earning an Associate in Applied Science – Data Processing. She attended Northern Kentucky University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and completed a Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management – Data Analytics from Morehead State University. She worked as a programmer/analyst for a software consultant in Ft. Thomas, Ky for 6 years and she currently operates a small privately-owned software development business that she started in the year 2000 providing desktop applications for a variety of organizations. Sharon was born and raised in Kentucky and grew up in the beautiful river town of Augusta. She enjoys hiking, pickleball and spending time with her family.

image of Jennifer Ouderkirk

Jennifer Ouderkirk
Co-chair

Jennifer Ouderkirk is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for the Medical Information Technology program at Maysville Community and Technical College. She also teaches Administrative Office Technology courses and has been a faculty member since 2014. With a passion for teaching technology in both administrative and medical office settings, Jennifer is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in the evolving fields of medical information and administrative office technology.

image of Trevor Applegate

Trevor Applegate

Trevor Applegate is an Assistant Professor of Business and Related Technologies and Computer Information Technologies at Maysville Community and Technical College,  primarily teaching Video Game Design and Programming courses.  Trevor holds a Bachelors in Computer Science from Morehead State University and is currently working toward a Masters in Artificial Intelligence from Eastern Kentucky University.  Trevor is known for many course activities around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as internal and external involvement in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

image of Missy Bishop

Missy Bishop

Missy Bishop is a full-time Associate Professor at Maysville Community and Technical College, Licking Valley Campus in Cynthiana, KY, specializing in Administrative Office Technology (AOT) courses. She has been with MCTC since 2007, serving in various capacities and dedicating the last seven years to teaching. Currently, she holds the roles of AOT Program Coordinator and KCTCS AOT Curriculum Chair.


An alumna of MCTC, Missy earned an Associate in Arts degree along with multiple technology-related certificates. She continued her education at Northern Kentucky University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, and later earned a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Educational Technology from Morehead State University.


In her free time, Missy enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, sewing, and spending time with her family.

image of Mary Breeze

Mary Breeze

Mary is a Success Coach for Business and Related Technologies students at Maysville Community and Technical College. Before joining the college, she retired from Comprehend Inc., where she served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for over 20 years. She holds a master's degree in education and is a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional.


image of Millicent Harding-Thomas

Millicent Harding-Thomas

Millicent Harding-Thomas is the Director of Community Education at the Maysville Community & Technical College. Millicent has been in higher education for 14 years. Prior to MCTC, Millicent worked at Comprehend, Inc., the local mental health agency, as an IMPACT Case Manager and the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit Manager for 12 years. Millicent is a Community Advisory Council member as well as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee member of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, served for 12 years on the Comprehend Human Rights Committee, 2nd year chair of the International Festival sub-committee of the Maysville Human Rights Commission, served a two year term on Maysville Human Rights Commission and a current board member of the Buffalo Trace Children’s Advocacy Center for the last 13 years. She graduated from Mason County High School, attended Maysville Community College, and transferred to Morehead State University to complete her Bachelor of Science and associate in applied science degrees in 1997.

image of Daphne Hilterbrand

Daphne Hilterbrand

Daphne Kaye Hilterbrand, CPC, CRC, has over 18 years of experience in the healthcare industry. A medical coder since 2006, she specializes in Emergency Room Facility Coding. Daphne holds certifications as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) from the Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She earned an Associate of Applied Business in Business Information Systems and a Bachelor of University Studies from Morehead State University, as well as an Associate in Applied Arts from Maysville Community and Technical College. Daphne has worked at Maysville Community and Technical College on the Rowan Campus as an adjunct instructor from 2015 to 2021 and has been a full-time instructor in the Medical Information Technology/Administrative Office Technology Program since January 2022. Additionally, she continues to work part-time as a Remote Emergency Room Coding Specialist.

image of Cindy Hurt

Cindy Hurt

Cindy Hurt is a Workforce Liaison with Maysville Community and Technical College. Cindy works to setup trainings for local business and industry trainings upskill employees. Cindy also serves as the contact, recruiting and enrolling students for the CDL and Lineworker programs at MCTC. Cindy recruits Prior to becoming the Workforce Liaison I worked as the Apprenticeship Coordinator helping companies set up registered apprenticeships and helping students find apprenticeships/internships in their related fields of studies. Prior to MCTC, Cindy worked over 11 years as a Career Advisor for the Kentucky Career Center Jobsight where she recruited and enrolled students into an In-School and Out-of-School Youth program. Cindy earned her Global Career Development Facilitator Certification and a bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University.

image of Natasha Maddox

Natasha Maddox

Natasha Maddox is an Associate Professor of Accounting & Business Administration at Maysville Community & Technical College, and has been a faculty member since August 2013. Prior to her current faculty role, she was employed by Coroplast, Inc. as their Plant Accountant.

image of Mary Morris

Mary Morris

Mary Morris is the Marketing Director at Maysville Community & Technical College. She began her career at MCTC in 2019 as a Public Relations and Marketing Specialist.

Mary was a first-generation college student from Estill County, Kentucky. She attended Morehead State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in art, with a focus in graphic design.

While at MSU, she was an intern and a graduate assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing, which introduced her to the important role that marketing plays in the world of education.

As a first-generation student from a rural area, Mary is passionate about the opportunities that higher education can provide to rural students from all walks of life.

image of Wendy Noble

Wendy Noble

Wendy Noble is a Business Administration Professor at Maysville Community & Technical College and has been teaching at MCTC for 19 years. Prior to her current faculty role, she was employed by Greenup County Area Technology Center for three years as a Business instructor.  Wendy earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Morehead State University.  She also attended Foster Meade Area Technology Center (currently known as Lewis County ATC) as a high school student where her passion for both business and education began.   

image of Terry Pasley

Terry Pasley

Terry Pasley is a Professor of Computer Information Technology at Maysville Community & Technical College.

image of De’Sarae Perry

De’Sarae Perry

De’Sarae Perry is the Director of Workforce Solutions at Maysville Community and Technical College, effective the beginning of 2024. De’Sarae started her tenure with MCTC as a Workforce Development Liaison within the Workforce Solutions department, three years ago. She manages 6 programs within the Workforce Solutions department: business and industry customized trainings, adult and youth community education, continuing education, agriculture and horticulture, Lineman, and CDL.

image of Tara Thornberry

Tara Thornberry

Tara is a first generation, Maysville Community & Technical College graduate, Tara learned early in her college career that she wanted to be a part of higher education. While working full-time as an Instructional Assistant at MCTC she earned Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Morehead State University. She was appointed to the faculty as economics instructor in 1982 and has been teaching business and economics at MCTC ever since. Tara has served as Division Chair and Interim Academic Dean, but prefers the front-line work of teaching and advising.

letter boxes that spell the word agenda
Thursday - March 20, 2025
LOCATION: Registration at Rowan campus Maysville Community & Technical College

2:00-3:00 PM - Registration at MCTC - Rowan Campus
3:00-4:30 PM - Welcome, keynote speaker
4:30-6:00 PM - group tour of local attraction
6:00-8:00 PM - dinner, keynote speaker

Friday - March 21, 2025
LOCATION: Maysville Community & Technical College, Rowan Campus, Morehead, KY

8:00-8:45 AM - Welcome, keynote speaker
9:00-12:00 PM - Breakout Sessions, Career Fair
12:00-2:00 PM - lunch, employment panel, closing

 

banner with the words Keynote Speakers

Katrina is an international award-winning information security and technology executive with experience across education, government, and corporate sectors. She serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the University of Cincinnati, the second largest higher education and research institution in the State of Ohio. Katrina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Xavier University, a Master’s degree in Digital Forensic Science from Champlain College, and numerous industry certifications.

Her professional passions are digital forensics and incident response, deeply linked to her past work as a firefighter/paramedic and law enforcement cyber intelligence consultant. She has been an adjunct faculty member at UC and a frequent national lecturer on topics of secure high-performance research computing, K-12 cyber safety, proactive critical infrastructure defense, information security risk, and regulatory compliance.

Katrina currently serves as a Xavier University Cybersecurity Advisory Board member, CDO Magazine Global Security Board member, Warren County Career Center Cybersecurity Advisory Board member, Splunk Higher Education Advisory Board member, and advisory president of the Ohio High Technology Crime Investigation Association. In 2023, Katrina was honored as the Information Security Officer of the Year at the international Women in Governance, Risk and Compliance awards by the GRC World Forum.

image of Katrina Biscay

Katrina Biscay LinkedIn

Polina is a technology leader with extensive expertise advising and enabling the success of professional service firms, construction and engineering operations, diverse manufacturing and distribution verticals, specialized healthcare practices, local government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Over 15 years of industry experience, impeccable work ethic, strong technical background, and business acumen fuel her unrelenting drive for solving complex business challenges and guiding organizations through the effective adoption of new and emerging technologies to empower business success.

image of Polina Nikolova

Polina Nikolova LinkedIn

Mackenzie Hanes, originally from Mayfield, Kentucky, came to Central Kentucky to attend the University of Louisville and subsequently became a happy transplant in Frankfort. Mackenzie serves as the Executive Director of the Tech Association of the Bluegrass (TAB), an organization dedicated to building the tech ecosystem in Central Kentucky. Mackenzie is also the Program Director for Awesome Inc U which provides computer science education in high schools and intensive training for career changers looking to get their start in tech as well as partnership manager for the Innovation Hub, Awesome Center for Entrepreneurship. Mackenzie is focused on serving the established and growing tech community in Central Kentucky as she coaches non-traditional tech talent and connects regional and global tech leaders to the future of the Bluegrass. 

image of Mackenzie Hanes

Mackenzie Hanes LinkedIn

Event Coordinators:

✉ Sharon Staviski
✉ Jennifer Ouderkirk
Maysville Community & Technical College

HERIZON: Embarking on Careers in Technology

Maysville Community & Technical College

Event Coordinators:

✉ Sharon Staviski ✉ Jennifer Ouderkirk
HERIZON: Embarking on Careers in Technology