Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM: An Inspiration for Women in Computer Science

Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM continues to be an inspiration for students at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix.

Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix was recently honored by the college board for their work increasing participation of women in computer science. Inspired by Sister Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM, one of the first women to earn a PhD in computer science and the founder of the computer science department at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, Xavier includes a computer programming class among the graduation requirements for all students. Xavier offers both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. In 2018, Xavier students made up 20 percent of the females taking an AP computer science test in Arizona.

In keeping with these efforts, Xavier recently announced the creation of the Sister Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM, chapter of the National Computer Science Honor Society. Named in honor of Sister Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM, the chapter will induct over 100 founding members in August 2019. Membership requires students to complete service hours in computer science. Types of service include staffing the Student Tech Advisors, which provides tech help for other students, and staffing the new student technology orientation.

Article and photo courtesy of Catherine Wyman, Xavier College Preparatory faculty.