Our Mission
STARS is a student-centered organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of diverse computing leaders by fostering supportive communities, igniting action, and building sustainable pathways to a more representative tech workforce.
Our Vision
A computing community where all students can thrive, lead, and shape the future of technology.
Our History
As a national alliance of students, faculty, and administrators, STARS Computing Core has made its mission to broaden participation in computing. As the landscape in AI and technology continues to change and grow, STARS is creating opportunities for students at the university level to persist in computing and pursue professional advancement through our mentorship and collaborative programs. We follow the science and use evidence-based evaluations to improve our programs year over year so that everyone who wants a place in computing has a place in computing. We believe that with capacity development and building a welcoming community, we can address many of the systemic challenges and social obstacles endured by the historically underserved students who show interest and aptitude in computing.
Our Core Values
Student Empowerment
STARS centers students’ computing identities as leaders, creators, and agents of change in building and strengthening the future of computing.
Building Community
STARS cultivates supportive, inclusive computing communities in which collective growth is based on authentic service and leadership.
Access and Opportunity
STARS believes in creating pathways to ensure that all students have rightful presence and the opportunity to thrive in computing fields.
Collaboration & Partnership
STARS believes in the power of collective actions – across students, faculty, institutions, and industry – to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Evidence-Based Innovation
STARS is committed to learning, applying research, and evolving our practices to create scalable, high-impact solutions for broadening participation and strengthening computing and computing-related fields.
Our Team
Audrey Rorrer
Research Associate Professor, Computer Science, UNC-Charlotte
Manuel Pérez-Quiñones
Professor, Software and Information Systems, UNC-Charlotte
Join us to support leaders and career growth in computing.
How It Works
The STARS Computing Corps is a community of colleges and universities that work together to support diversity in computing. It helps students and faculty build leadership skills and resources to support underrepresented groups.
The main program, STARS Student Leadership Corps, has involved students and
faculty from 53 schools in projects that:
Show how
computing
connects to
communities
and social issues
Strengthen
computing skills
through teaching
and hands-on
experience
Build professional,
creative, and
entrepreneurial
skills
Create a supportive
network committed
to diversity, equity,
and computing
careers
STARS college students see gains in GPA,
confidence, computing identity, and commitment to the field, with even greater benefits for women, Black, and Hispanic/Latinx students.*
STARS also supports a community focused on broadening participation in computing through its annual STARS Celebration, which promotes learning and action using proven practices, and the RESPECT conference, which shares research on diversity, equity, and inclusion in computing.