Bridging the Knowledge Gap: How a CS Education Certificate Empowered a Non-Profit CEO
When people hear the word CEO, they picture an accomplished leader. What they don’t always see are the hard-earned lessons that are the building blocks for those accomplishments.
Searching for Something More
For Lisa Hauser, becoming the CEO of Code/Art was far from easy, but through her willingness to step into discomfort, she has changed the lives of thousands of girls all over Florida.
Hauser started her career as a web producer in the heart of San Francisco in 1999. Being a woman in the early tech industry, Hauser had a fire to prove she belonged. However, after years of overseeing web projects, the fire that she once felt slowly faded.
“I had this worry, this feeling like I was missing an opportunity,” Hauser says.
A New Direction and New Doubts
Over time, Hauser realized she found fulfillment in helping others and faced a decision: continue down the path she knew or venture into the unknown to find something more. Despite uncertainty, Hauser moved to Miami, where she began teaching math, and it quickly became clear she was heading in the right direction.
Hauser spent several years teaching, but her time in the tech industry still lingered in the back of her mind. Having invested so much time into technology and developing a genuine appreciation for it, she started looking for a way to combine tech and teaching.
She began exploring technology-focused subjects and helped start an all-girls coding club. It was through the club that Hauser met Amy Austin Renshaw, the founder of Code/Art, a newly-founded nonprofit that empowers girls to explore the world of coding. After working with Renshaw, Hauser was presented with the opportunity to join the organization. While the opportunity appeared to be the perfect intersection of education and technology, it also meant adding another commitment to her already busy life.
Recognizing this as a unique opportunity, Hauser took the leap of faith and committed herself to Code/Art. Using Hauser’s educational expertise, the two women planned for the future. As Code/Art began to grow, so did Hauser’s responsibilities. But with that came self-doubt. Despite Hauser’s experience working in the computer science education field, she lacked formal education and specific technical expertise. When faced with conversations filled with unfamiliar terminology and technical concepts, she began to question her right to lead others.
“I felt like an imposter because I didn’t know how to program,” says Hauser.
Finding Confidence Through UF’s CS Education Certificate
Rather than let those doubts define her, Hause decided to figure out a way to rise above them. While juggling teaching full-time, advising for Code/Art and raising a family, Hauser chose to enroll in the University of Florida’s graduate CS education certificate program.
Through the program, Hauser sharpened her technical skills and developed a comprehensive understanding of computer science fundamentals. Additionally, what proved to be even more transformative was the mentorship provided by the faculty. While a student in the program, Hauser met Maya Israel, Ph.D., who ended up becoming her biggest supporter.
“To this day, I still feel like Dr. Israel is a champion of mine,” says Hauser.
Israel helped guide Hauser through the computer science education landscape. As a result, Hauser strengthened her professional networks and gained academic research skills.
Empowering the Next Generation of Girls in Tech
The combination of skills and mentorship transformed how Lisa shows up as a leader. Now Hauser is the CEO of Code/Art and plans to continue to grow the organization. Having already reached over 800 teachers and tens of thousands of students, Hauser looks to expand her program’s reach by experimenting with online programs. More consequential than numbers, she is committed to growing the network of women in computer science supported by Code/Art. With her work, Hauser invites girls to see the possibilities she never had growing up.
For educators and career-changers considering what’s next, Lisa’s journey through the UF CS education certificate is a reminder that growth often starts with stepping into discomfort. “If it’s fear that’s holding you back, fear that you don’t fit in. Let those go. UF will provide everything you need to be successful.”
If you’re ready to develop confidence in the computer science space, contact us for more information.
