<aside> ❓ In 200 words or less, share about why you chose this community and how you are a part of this community.

</aside>

I chose the Barnard Computer Science community to focus my Build Project on because I want to help grow Barnard CS into a revolutionary department that produces the next generation of women tech leaders. Barnard's autonomous CS program only came into fruition in January 2019, and previously Barnard students had to major at Columbia if they wanted to obtain CS degrees. The program is still under development and I have begun brainstorming regarding the areas in which I believe it could grow and evolve, specifically relating to courses offered, faculty, partnerships, marketing, support, and opportunities. I am an aspiring CS major, which makes me a part of the Barnard CS community. At large, though, I am a Barnard student passionate about dismantling the gender barriers women still face in the STEM community—and in particular the CS community—today. I've already committed myself to focusing my attention towards expanding Barnard's CS department during my time at Barnard, so what better time to begin this work than in ThirdSpace! My goal is that I can help turn Barnard's CS department into something that the College is known for, and increase the number of prospective and graduating Barnard students with CS degrees.