UScellular, Girls Who Code Extend Partnership Through 2023

CHICAGO (March 7, 2023) – In honor of International Women’s Day, UScellular and Girls Who Code announced the renewal of their partnership to create equal opportunities for girls, women and nonbinary students in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. For 2023, UScellular is committing $75,000 to support Girls Who Code’s Summer Immersion Program and $100,000 to add new clubs throughout the year.

A 2022 UScellular survey* revealed that 40% of students felt that STEM fields are not welcoming to women. To help ensure young women have an equitable chance to pursue a career in STEM, last year, UScellular donated $150,000 to Girls Who Code to open five new clubs in Kansas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Maine.

“We are overjoyed to continue working with Girls Who Code to address the gender gaps in STEM and to help younger generations of women learn about the necessary skills to have a successful career in STEM,” said Kevin Lowell, executive vice president and chief people officer of UScellular. “It is important to us that we focus on expanding opportunities and closing the divide for women in STEM, and we are thrilled to partner with Girls Who Code to do so.”

Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and changing the image of what a programmer looks like and does.

“At Girls Who Code, we know that in order to close the gender gap in tech, we must create pathways into computer science for all students, no matter their background, and that we must start with our youngest students,” said Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code. “We’re excited to be able to expand our reach and programming to local youth in 2023, and are grateful to the support from UScellular in bringing equity to STEM fields.”

UScellular is focused on addressing gaps in STEM education and is committed to connecting more than 200,000 of tomorrow’s innovators each year with the resources they need today to help shape future opportunities. Since 2009, UScellular has invested more than $35 million in monetary donations, technology resources and countless experiences to nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information about UScellular’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit https://newsroom.uscellular.com/community/.

*UScellular’s survey was fielded online by Hall & Partners from November 11 – November 29, 2021, among 1,000 students (18-25 years old) across a national footprint, with a margin of error of [+/- 3.2%].

About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.

About Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology, and leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip students who identify as girls or nonbinary with the computing skills needed to pursue 21st century opportunities. Since launching in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 500,000 students through our in-person and virtual programming, and 115,000 of our alumni are college or career-aged.

Girls Who Code has sparked culture change through marketing campaigns and advocacy efforts, generating 14 Billion engagements globally. In 2019, the organization was named the #1 Most Innovative Non-Profit on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, and in 2022 was named one of NonProfit Times’ Best Nonprofits to Work For.