Farewell Melanie – Thank You For Your Service!
In this month’s blog post, we thank Yuqing Melanie Wu, who served ACM-W for several years in different roles. You can read more on Melanie’s journey in computer science in Rendering History, the women of ACM-W. Here is a short synopsis of her inspiring journey into a career furnished with success.
Melanie studied computer science at Peking University as an undergraduate student. She later received an MS degree in Computer Science from Indiana University, Bloomington, before moving to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to continue her graduate education towards a PhD degree in computer science under the guidance of Prof. H.V. Jagadish, who she found a “dream advisor” in being always helpful, encouraging and caring. After a couple of internships at industry research labs, she decided that academia was where she belonged. In the decade following her PhD, she established her career at Indiana University Bloomington. At IUB, she was one of the few female professors in the department—and even fewer were not white.
She actively participated in and led Women in Computing (WIC) activities in Informatics and Computer Science, receiving the “Advisor of the Year” award and “Inspirational Teacher” award. Embracing her passion for teaching and mentoring, she later moved her career to Pomona College and has been there since.
In 2012, Valeria Barr, then chair of ACM-W, invited Melanie to join ACM-W. Melanie chaired the communication committee for seven years before assuming the role of treasurer in 2019. In her academic life, Melanie has gone from success to success. Currently, she serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of College at Pomona College, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the US.
1. Reflecting on your decade of service at ACM-W, what accomplishment or project are you most proud of? What made it particularly impactful, and how do you believe it has influenced the field long-term?
I drafted ACM-W’s governance document. This is a side hustle I volunteered for beyond my role on the council at the time. I am an institution builder. I am grateful that my research, my thoughts, and my collaboration with the council co-chairs and members resulted in the governance document we are using today. Hopefully, it will be the foundation of our organization in the many years to come.
2. ACM-W has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many young women. Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed the direct impact of ACM-W’s efforts on a young woman’s career or life?
More than once, actually many times, I met young (or not so young anymore) women who recounted to me how ACM-W impacted their lives and careers. One example is a young woman from Southeast Europe at a CRA-WP mid-career workshop. She applied for an ACM-W scholarship as an undergraduate in her home country to attend an international conference. That experience opened doors for her, allowing her to build connections with global researchers and gain valuable exposure to new areas in her field. She shared with me how this opportunity was a turning point in her career, inspiring her to pursue advanced studies and leadership roles.
3. Looking to the future, what are your hopes for ACM-W’s growth and impact in the next few years? How can the organization continue to advance the role of women in computing?
I think ACM-W is uniquely positioned as an international organization. I am very grateful for the intentionality in diversifying the background of the leadership team of ACM-W in recent years. We have been, and I hope we continue to, recognize and embrace that the concept of diversity and inclusivity varies from country to country, from region to region.
4. For those considering getting involved in ACM-W, what advice would you give them about making the most of their experience and contributing to the organization’s mission?
ACM-W helped me – a female computer scientist, an introvert, a first-generation immigrant looking to find a foothold in academia in the US – find my voice. The leaders I worked with showed me the beauty of making an impact for the benefit of others. This became the root of my leadership style—a servant leader—in every position I serve, whether as a board member of CRA-WP, graduate director, department chair, or vice president of academic affairs of an institution.
So, get engaged! Turn your emotions, whether gratitude, frustration, or even anger, into actions.
Pay it forward. Do it for the benefit of others. Do it for today and tomorrow. Do it to benefit those around you and afar. Do it for those who will come on this path a few years or decades later. Do it for those who have not been born yet.
Thank you again, Melanie, for your wonderful journey with ACM-W. We look forward to seeing what you do next!