STARS Computing Corps: Enhancing Engagement of Underrepresented Students and Building Community in Computing

In this article, the authors examine the impact of participation in a national community for broadening participation in computing that engages college students in computing-related service projects. Results of their study show many benefits for undergraduate computing students who engage in such projects, including academic, career, and personal benefits, with students who are underrepresented in computing benefitting more than others. Results also suggest that that an annual conference centered on training and reflection on service learning projects can help build a strong sense of community among students who otherwise wouldn't have access to a similar group of peers. These findings establish empirical support for the Students and Technology in Academia, Research, and Service Computing Corps model of engagement, a flexible approach that can be applied across a variety of institutional types to positively impact underrepresented students in computing.