Re-igniting Our Direction with IT Affinity and Community Groups

Re-igniting Our Direction with IT Affinity and Community Groups
 

What to expect from today's conversation:

• Quick updates on current Connect + Grow initiatives and their impact
• Review of community feedback themes
• Facilitated discussion to blaze our path forward
• Your input will directly inform actionable next steps for our affinity/community groups
• Note: We want to hear about your experiences, ideas, and vision for how these groups can better support connection, growth, and belonging across Stanford IT

Quote from Amy’s welcome remarks at IT Converge:

• “Community is one of Stanford IT’s greatest strengths.” - Amy Steagall, Stanford CISO

A logical evolution as our programs mature from IDEAL IT to IT Connect + Grow:

• Not another new program - simply a framework that pulls together existing programs under a single planning lens to avoid duplication, competing priorities, and ensures opportunities are accessible to all staff
• Provides clarity and support around career growth, mobility and advancement
• Strengthens community and builds a better place to work

Community; Connection and engagement in and beyond the job:

• Community Groups: Affinity Groups: Stanford WIT+, Stanford POC-IT+
• Communities of Practice
• Networking: Connect with Colleagues Donut (#it-connect)
• Community Events: IT Converge (combined IT Unconference and CyberFest)

Career; Growth, mobility, development, and advancement

• Experimental Development: IT Experiential Development Program (IT EDP)
• Mentoring: IT Mentoring Program, Flash Mentoring
• Leadership Development: ITLP, STLP, XTLP Alumni Community
• Recruiting and Leadership Programs: Year Up Internship Program
• Learning Programs: Neurodiversity in IT, Accessible IT, #IAmRemarkable, Allyship at Work, + custom workshops

WIT+ Lead by Tela (Caul) Vessa Learning Technology Team Lead Educational Technology Stanford School of Medicine

What is WIT+:

• A community with a mission to advance engagement and support for women, non-binary people, and allies in technology roles at Stanford
• Through networking, workshops, mentoring, and more, Stanford WIT+ helps foster a supportive and productive work environment where all people feel valued and respected

Our goals and approach for 2025 (for WIT+) 

• Networking and relationship building
• Knowledge/resource sharing and skill development
• Empowerment and inspiration
• Follow up Initiatives
• Everyone is welcome!

WIT+ goals in 2026 and Beyond:

• Re-igniting our community:
• Networking and relationship building
• Knowledge/resource sharing and skill development
• Empowerment and inspiration
• Follow-up initiatives

POC-IT + Lead by Ramani Raman IT Technical Manager Stanford University IT (UIT)

What is POC-IT+: 

• Launched in 2020, Stanford People of Color in Technology (POC-IT) began as a university-wide affinity group that advanced representation, engagement, and support for people of any color in technology roles at Stanford
• While primarily aimed at university, SLAC, and Stanford Medicine staff who work or have an interest in technology roles, POC-IT also welcomes faculty and students, allies, and those in non-technology roles who are interested in participating

POC-IT Becomes POC-IT+ 

• Stanford People of Color in Technology (Stanford POC-IT) has evolved its name and branding to Stanford People of Color in Technology + allies (Stanford POC-IT+)
• This evolution brings us in line with our sibling affinity group Stanford Women in Technology + allies (Stanford WIT+)
• It also reinforces that our affinity group is open to everyone

POC-IT+ Goals and Priorities in 2026 and Beyond

• Re-igniting our community:
• Networking and relationship building
• Knowledge/resource sharing and skill development
• Empowerment and inspiration
• Follow-up initiatives
• Provide tools to develop the confidence and skills for self-promotion

***

Key Points and Takeaways from the Discussion and Debrief:

• Attendees shared that AI can feel like an overwhelming topic, but this community has the potential to make it more approachable by creating supportive spaces for exploration and learning. There is a strong interest in attending events and staying involved, and it is important to continue offering opportunities that fit participants’ schedules while supporting learning, collaboration, and connection. Small moments of interaction were noted as especially valuable, as they can lead to meaningful connections and strengthen the community overall.
• Participants also highlighted alignment between the goals of WIT+ and POC IT+. Both communities were seen as sharing similar values and intentions, and there was broad support for focusing on these shared goals rather than separating engagement into different spaces. The use of the plus in each name was viewed positively, as it signals inclusivity for individuals who may not identify with a specific group but still want to participate and contribute. A unified community centered on common goals and shared ideology was described as a strong and impactful direction.
• Overall, the work being done was recognized as highly relevant and meaningful. Attendees emphasized that individuals should not feel required to fit into a specific category in order to attend events or engage in conversations. Creating open and inclusive spaces was seen as essential to continued community growth and mutual support.

Next Steps for our IT Community:

• Help build our Affinity Groups 2.0 strategy
• Join WIT+ and POC-IT+ planning teams
• Take advantage of IT Connect + Grow career and leadership development programs (such as the IT Mentoring Program and IT EDP)
• Participate in conversations that matter by joining us at community events (more about these on the next few slides!)
• Keep sharing your stories, ideas, input, topics, feedback, and offers to volunteer(!) :  it-connect-grow@lists.stanford.edu