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Public Interest Technology University Network 2022 Convening Student Preview

Andrea Guifarro

Andrea Guifarro, a third-year college student, received her associate degree in May 2022 from the College of Staten Island (CSI) – CUNY with a focus on public interest technology. She was recently accepted into the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies program and will be the first student at CUNY to receive a B.A. in immigration rights & reform and applied public interest technology, with an anticipated graduation in May 2024.

While in-person attendance is limited, students who are interested in public interest technology (PIT) have many opportunities to join the convening via a virtual ticket (general registration). Here is a step-by-step guide for how students can get the most out of this year’s convening.

STEP 1: JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER

We have created a server on Discord (our handy friend) called the PIT-UN Convening Student Hangout. I will be the moderator of this server, your guide to all things happening at the convening. Join now.

STEP 2: REGISTER FOR THE CONVENING

It is important that you register online for the convening so that you can get access to the exclusive links for virtual access to both days of the convening. Register now for free as a general registration to join us virtually. Please be sure to put “student” in the Title box when registering as a General Public (Online Only).

STEP 3: GET READY TO TUNE IN

We are excited to showcase the work we have prepared and to learn from one another. 

Day 1, Oct. 28 highlights

10 a.m.
The convening will begin with a welcome and introduction to the convening from the organizers of the event.
10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Students can attend (virtually) a panel discussion about PIT and PIT-UN. This discussion will cover where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are headed.
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
When you register as a student, you will get exclusive access to a workshop discussion focused on “PIT in Action: Students Take the Lead,” where we’ll dive deeper into the impacts and progress made through active student engagement and involvement in PIT.
1:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Our keynote speaker, Julian Brave NoiseCat, will share some strategies for engaging activism, advocacy, and journalism, among other skills.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
PIT-UN will announce this year’s cohort of grantees. (Read about last year’s grantees.)
4:00 p.m.

Day 2, Oct. 29 highlights

Day 2 is being hosted by CSI St. George in partnership with Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. This venue allows us to capture the interaction of culture, community, nature, and technology with a focus on climate justice, racial justice, and food justice. These themes will be demonstrated through the work of students, artists, performers, and activists. 

This day is more about the engaging of multiple perspectives and will center student voices in delivering diverse interpretations PIT. My talented peer, Samantha Wilkinson, will create a “blackbox” to show us an immersive experience of AI. Be sure to tune in at noon as the day will be livestreamed and “twitch-like” streams will be generated by PIT students on the ground who will bring you into their experience of the day.  

The event will end with the livestreaming of a cosmic meditation from an Afrofuturist scholar and performer Ingrid LaFleur that you don’t want to miss. See the full convening agenda.

I hope to virtually see you there to receive your support and participation. I am happy to serve as your guide and look forward to meeting you on Discord.

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