Nicolle Foucher of Monson earns computing honor

Foucher’s scholarship is particularly notable due to the competitiveness of the award.

Nicolle Foucher, of Monson, a Westfield State student who won a Women in Computing scholarship. submitted photo 

WESTFIELD - Westfield State University senior Nicolle Foucher, of Monson, was awarded a scholarship to attend the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing this week in Phoenix.

Drs. Anita Borg and Telle Whitney founded the Grace Hopper Celebration in 1994. The convention is designed to highlight the research and career interests of women in computer technology with leadership workshops, guest lectures, and activities.

Last year, the convention was in Minneapolis, and more than 4,750 women attended from 53 countries.

Foucher’s scholarship is particularly notable due to the competitiveness of the award.

The event experienced a 78 percent increase in this year’s applicants and the scholarship was awarded to only 26 percent of those who applied.. Applicants had to be enrolled full-time at a college or university while studying computer science, engineering or a related technical subject.

“This is a big deal for Nicolle and our school,” said Karen Works, assistant professor of computer and information science. “She is the first Westfield State University student to win a scholarship to attend the conference.”

The conference celebrates women with talent in technology.

“Nicolle is a very dedicated student and hard worker who strives to solve any problem presented to her, regardless of the level of difficulty,” Works said.

Foucher was originally an art major at Westfield State.

“After I took one computer information science class, I knew that’s what I really wanted to get into,” she said.

Foucher said she is looking forward to attending the Hopper event for the first time, and as she prepared for the conference, she said she will also be preparing for her future.

“With it being my senior year, I am really excited for the job opportunities that may come from attending,” she said. “I am excited to meet hundreds of other women who share the same passion as I do