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Creating diverse spaces in the tech industry
HACKER REFACTOR AT A GLANCE
We are a student-led computer science club and ACM-W chapter at Oregon State University-Cascades. Our mission is to advocate for diversity in STEM, providing a safe and supportive tech environment for everyone. We fulfill this mission through our three pillars: Community, Professionalism, and Outreach.
WHAT WE DO
COMMUNITY
Tech should be a place where everyone belongs and feels comfortable enough to explore the millions of opportunities to change the world for the better. Hacker Refactor’s most important goal is bridging the gap between the intimidation of technology and creating welcoming communities. We believe change comes through people, and people make change when they feel supported and heard. So, we create spaces where people belong.
PROFESSIONALISM
Becoming a good technologist is about more than good grades and fiddling with code. To really thrive in any industry, experience in the field is crucial! We want people to succeed in whatever path they choose, so we develop professional skills workshops, create business and career opportunities, and send people to conferences to round out their knowledge and gain industry experience.
OUTREACH
We know that representation matters! Many Hackers wish for inspiring models to look up to in the tech industry as we sit in mostly male-dominated CS classes. So we focus on bringing up the next generation of amazing people in technology by working with local middle and high schools to provide tech-related resources and lessons. Most importantly, we bring ourselves to show younger kids to see that anyone can be in technology, including them!
The most damaging phrase in our language is:
"It's always been done that way."
Grace Hopper
COME JOIN US
TESTIMONIALS
I joined Hacker Refactor because of the sense of community the club creates. When I started in the CS program I was still pretty new in town and felt very isolated but the Hacker team reached out and made me feel like I really belonged here.
Erin O'Connell
Hacker Refactor started because a group of women saw a need for a safe space on campus as they fought to find a sense of a belonging within the tech industry. This club is more than bringing tech to the masses; it’s about being part of a diverse and supportive community.
Nikita Rubocki
I joined Hacker Refactor because it was the only group related to CS that was engaging and empowering women and other underrepresented groups. It has been incredible to be a part of a group that has brought a deep sense of community to our program, but also to then help lead that group. Hacker Refactor has changed the CS program at OSU-Cascades for the better.
Cori Bradford
LEADERSHIP TEAM
LINNEA LANE
President
Linnea is a senior Biology major with Computer Science and Chemistry minors. Particularly interested in biomedical sciences, they plan to combine their passions helping people in a health career or bioinformatics. Outside of school, Linnea is an avid musician and aspiring home audio engineer, musical theater enthusiast, martial artist, and Disneyland aficionado.
KIMBERLY MARKLEY
Vice President
Kimberly Markley is a junior in OSU-Cascades' Computer Science program. She is interested in how tech can be used to create an equitable society instead of driving further oppression and communal disconnection. As a member of Hacker Refactor, she loves collaborating with fellow students to build a microcosm of this ideal, where students are given the tools to become world-change agents in their communities. When Kimberly isn't coding her lil Hacker heart out, she's out in the wild somewhere, exploring the wilderness around Bend with her sassy dog Hugo.
MELISSA SWEARINGEN
Treasurer
Melissa "Missy" Swearingen is a senior studying computer science with a specialty in software engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. She is a calculus tutor for the TRIO Student Support Services Program and the Student Outreach Coordinator for the OSU Clothing Connection, a free resource that provides professional clothing to students. Melissa is also a Ford Family Foundation Scholar, a member of the OSU College of Engineering Leadership Academy, and the treasurer of the women-led computer science club Hacker Refactor. When not at school, she is an avid climber and enjoys trips to beautiful Smith Rock. She is also an avid baker and worked as a pastry chef for many years before returning to college. Her favorite pasties are almond croissants and salted honey pies.
ERIN O'CONNELL
Secretary
Howdy! Erin O'Connell here. I am the secretary of Hacker Refactor and I am currently on my third year in the CS department at OSU-C and anticipate to graduate Spring of '23. Woot! After graduation I hope to become a software engineer and develop some sweet mobile apps. I joined Hacker because of the awesome support and community they have created. Outside of school, I am an avid fisherman, painter, virtual farmer and grizzly bear enthusiast.
BEN FOLEY
Officer
SETH WEISS
Officer
BALERÍA REYES
Officer
ELIZABETH GRASSEL
Officer
CONTACT HACKER REFACTOR
1500 SW Chandler Avenue Bend, Oregon 97702