IDEAL IT is a CIO Council-sponsored program that promotes and advances the Stanford Presidential IDEAL initiative within the IT Community at Stanford. IDEAL stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in a Learning Community, and is a cornerstone of Stanford’s diversity initiatives.

The sub-programs that make up IDEAL IT reflect our commitment to providing opportunities where individuals with diverse backgrounds can collaborate, grow, and excel across different functions and disciplines.

Recent News

WIT+ Launches Webpage Redesign and New Committees

Launched as Women in Technology (WIT) in 2018, this IDEAL IT pillar was relaunched as WIT+ to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity as well as to differentiate the program from the other WIT-related programs affiliated with Stanford.

Promoting Inclusion and Employment Opportunities for Neurodiverse Individuals

In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, IDEAL IT’s Neurodiversity in IT Program group hosted an online event on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. 

Leading From Where You Are

The fifth Explore Careers in Technology Event (ExCITE), sponsored by the CIO Council and People of Color in Technology (POC-IT) affinity group, was held on March 30. The theme of this ExCITE was “Leading From Where You Are.”

Upcoming Events

Why attend IDEAL IT events?

Accessibility in IT

A program that focuses on building awareness, allyship, and accountability around digital accessibility at Stanford.

Neurodiversity in IT

A Stanford University pilot program that attracts, recruits, and supports neurodiverse employees in the IT Community.

Year Up Internship Program

A program that creates internships in Stanford IT for young adults from underprivileged and economically disadvantaged communities.

Stanford Women in Technology+ (Stanford WIT+)

An affinity group for women in technology that advances gender representation, engagement, and support in the Stanford IT community.

Stanford People of Color in Technology (POC-IT)

An affinity group that advances representation, engagement, and support for people of color in technology roles at Stanford.

IDEAL IT Foundations

A sub-program that focuses on strategic planning efforts, diversifying recruitment, and increasing overall cultural awareness in the Stanford IT community.

Diversity and inclusion are essential to Stanford’s strength. A university depends, at its core, on the free and open exchange of ideas in a culture of mutual respect. It also depends upon the participation and inclusion of people of all backgrounds, races, genders, identities, ideologies, and ways of thinking.

Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Stanford President

Our goal is to recruit, retain, and develop extraordinary people in our IT community at Stanford. Foundational to that is fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where talented staff can thrive.

Steve Gallagher, Stanford Chief Information Officer