She has been invited to the White House, heavily involved with the National Center for Women and Information Technology and was recently elected as president of the ISU computer science club. However, this summer, Cassidy Williams will be able to add even more to her resume after her upcoming graduation.

On June 12, Williams, a senior in computer science, will join 100 of the most forward thinkers in the United States on a British Airways flight. 

On the flight they will develop a product to present at the Decide Now Act Summit in London.

“It sounds like we’re going to be developing a product, a solution, an idea: some sort of thing for some sort of social change,” Williams said.

Williams found out about her inclusion on April 22. Although some details of the flight are still vague, the summit will aim for social change by combining “the most innovative minds from business, entertainment, science, technology, sport and philanthropy,” according to the summit’s website.

The formula for the summit is conversation plus collaboration equals change.

“We’re just going to try to build something from beginning to end to be able to present,” Williams said.

The flight leaves from San Francisco, and the product will be presented on June 13.

Williams said she found out about her seat on the flight from Ruthe Farmer, director of strategic initiatives for the National Center for Women and Information Technology.

“I had indicated interest before just because I had heard about it, but it seemed like it was going to be something very elite,” Williams said.

In addition to contributing to the Decide Now Act Summit, Williams will be speaking in Tuscon, Ariz. on May 21, at a National Center for Women and Information Technology summit and interning at Intuit, the company that Williams said creates Mint.com and TurboTax, in Mountain View, Calif., for most of the summer.

“I’m aghast. I’m amazed at what she’s been able to accomplish. … She’s amazing. And I’m just glad that she decided to come to Iowa State,” said Gloria Cain, Williams’ current adviser.

Along with her other activities, Williams spends time advocating for more women to go into science, technology, engineering and math fields.

“She has always been pushing for getting more females, more women, involved in information technology,” Cain said.

Along with encouraging more women to get involved, Williams has several other time commitments. These include holding positions of webmaster for the Cardinal Key honor society and corporate liaison for Digital Women, a women in computing student organization.

In the past, she has interned with General Mills and Microsoft.

Her involvement goes hand in hand with one of her goals: Making a lasting impression on Iowa State.

“I don’t know how she can do as well as she has in terms of her classes, getting her projects done, being involved in Digital Women, being involved in the computer science club, doing all this and still be as energetic as she is,” Cain said. “She’s just full of energy and open to new ideas.”