Culture
Women in Tech: Meet Alexia Tanski, a 2U Curriculum Engineer Who Champions Gender Equality at Work
EDITOR’S NOTE: Throughout March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, our “A Day in the Life” series highlights leading women in tech who are members of 2U’s Womxn’s Alliance Network (W.A.N.).
~~~
When Alexia Tanski learned that women leave the tech industry at a 45% higher rate than men, she wasn’t discouraged. Instead, she was determined to help change that statistic.
“We, as a collective, need to ensure that womxn are given equal opportunity and viewed on the same playing field as their male peers,” says Alexia. “It’s a collective effort. The more we can make every employee aware of these issues, the greater chance we have of enacting change.”
As a woman in tech herself, Alexia knows exactly how challenging it can be to make strides in a traditionally male-dominated field. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, she entered the workforce as a developer then advanced to technology project management before transitioning to her current curriculum engineering role at 2U. “My time in tech is best described as a journey with many highs and lows,” mentions Alexia. “Being a woman has definitely given me a special lens into this constantly changing field.”
One of the lows Alexia experienced was during her first tech job, when she was one of only two female developers on her floor. “It definitely affected interactions with some male colleagues, to the point where I was being blatantly excluded from conversations,” she says. “I’ve been privileged enough to not have dealt with that behavior since—however, it drove me to always be conscious of who is in the room and to be sure everyone has a voice.”
At 2U, Alexia champions gender equality as the global engagement chair of W.A.N., passionately working to ensure women’s voices are heard at every level of the company. We sat down with her to learn more about her role at 2U, what Women’s History Month means to her, and what advice she has for fellow women in tech.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Alexia! Let’s start by diving into your day-to-day work. How would you describe your role as a curriculum engineer? And how are you specifically applying your passion and experience to supporting 2U’s mission?
My role has motivated me to raise my voice and use my unique experience to help give students a well-rounded educational experience. As a curriculum engineer, you want to help everyone achieve their goals and create a path forward. Knowing that our work at 2U is helping students grow and take the next step in their careers is an irreplaceable feeling. It drives me to give my best each day, since I know everything I do is also paving the way for future students.
That’s a really powerful point—today’s work shapes tomorrow’s outcomes, and we so admire the dedication you bring to your role. So Alexia, what’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from your time at 2U?
Change, however small, is happening. I’ve seen it before my time at 2U, and I observe a continuous trend of increased awareness toward workplace equality today. I think having an open space to connect with fellow womxn and allies is a big step in the right direction. I’ve found many open-minded womxn and allies within 2U, and hope this trend can continue up the ladder.
Absolutely! We’re committed to championing that trend, too. You have such a unique perspective based on your role—how does your membership and involvement in W.A.N., as one of 2U’s Business Resource Networks, help inform your work at 2U?
It gives me insight into both our strides and shortcomings. As womxn and allies, we have so much to unpack and are eager for opportunities to come together and speak our minds. W.A.N. has also given me more insight into the unique struggles that our international colleagues—in places like 2U’s Cape Town office—work to overcome that I may not have learned about otherwise. Understanding more about all the individuals who make up this company allows me to approach my work with even more depth and authenticity, which I think is important both on a personal and professional level.
That authenticity certainly shines through! Reflecting on your time at 2U so far, what are some standout memories of supporting or advocating for women?
I love working on a team of inspiring womxn, having an amazing female mentor and mentee, and being part of an incredible team on W.A.N. and across the Business Resource Networks. I carry so much pride in being close to so many amazing womxn who are openly passionate about what they do and what they bring to the table. I’m taking each moment as an opportunity to soak in this experience, and I hope to make a more direct impact on those around me moving forward.
It truly does take a village, and you’re such an excellent example of women uplifting women. So Alexia, as you know, March is Women’s History Month. How is this observance meaningful to you, and how do you see it inspiring you in your work at 2U?
As womxn, we all have our own stories, and these stories are so important and impactful. March is our neon stage where womxn are at the forefront without having to fight for space. I want to use this month as a way to push myself and encourage my peers to recognize who they are and what they deserve. We don’t fit in any pre-designed box. We’re full of inspiration, passion, and motivation, and this month gives us the platform we deserve to be heard. From here, our actions can have a butterfly effect throughout the year.
That’s very well put. To wrap things up, what advice would you give other women interested in joining 2U, either in a tech/leadership role or in general?
Prioritize and advocate for yourself. Often, womxn are inclined and taught to put others before themselves—but in our ever-evolving world, I see more womxn needing reminders to put their health and well-being first. For tech, leadership, or any other position you want to be in, you have to recognize who you are or who you want to be in order to advocate for yourself. Many womxn, myself included, struggle to sing our own praises, but no one will be able to share what you do better than yourself. Even if you’re still searching for who you are, you’ll get far by always keeping yourself in the front seat and recognizing your worth.
~~~
Meet more W.A.N. members: a vice president of boot camp technology, a web production manager, a lead faculty training specialist, a director of SEO and organic search, a student success manager, and a senior creative innovation specialist.