The Information and Communication Technology Summit is an annual gathering held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with the purpose of sharing ideas, research and projects. This year’s event included a showcase of technology either being used or researched in the academic field, presentations, workshops and panel discussions.
Laura Scholl, Newman University assistant professor of graphic design and digital art, led one of the panel discussions during the event.
Scholl is an alumna of UMass Amherst, where she studied sculpture and computer graphics (know today as digital media). She was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interdisciplinary studies.
The summit’s theme was “Is Technology for All?” — asking important questions such as “s (technology) different now?” “Are women better off or worse off in the industry?” and “What is the state of minorities in today’s technology workforce?”
Addressing the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements as they relate to media and entertainment, Scholl’s main focus during the panel discussion was on students followed by the Five College Consortium community.
She included her experiences in the industry during the discussion and how educators can make a difference. She was joined by Christopher Perry, associate professor of media arts and sciences at Hampshire College and fellow UMass Amherst alumnus.
Scholl said she wanted her audience to continue working toward “improvement in school and in the workplace by way of true diversity and inclusivity; to help build confidence to speak up and create better opportunities in their future professional lives.”
