Ringling College of Art and Design has formally established the first-ever student chapter of XR Women, a global community promoting women’s participation in XR (Extended Reality) technologies. The historic partnership was announced June 19 during the 4th Annual XR Women Awards at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) in Longbeach, California.
Ana Carolina Pereira, a member of the Ringling Virtual Reality Development and Game Art departments, will serve as the student chapter’s faculty representative.
Ringling’s VR students have been taking part in XR Women events over the past year—including the AWE, where Ringling student Jenna Watts ’25, Virtual Reality Development, was onsite for the announcement. XR Women also hosts weekly online meetups inside virtual settings, where members around the world can share their work and experiences.
Now, Ringling College students will be able to participate in activities designed specifically to engage and support the next generation of women leaders in XR technology. After each chapter event, students will have the opportunity to give the organization feedback on their experiences.
The academic year will culminate in a presentation by the Ringling chapter detailing their takeaways, to be showcased on the XR Women social media accounts and virtual platforms. That year-end report will also allow both institutions to assess how well the partnership is meeting their goals.
“We’re thrilled to establish the first-ever student chapter of XR Women at Ringling College, aligning our VR program with such an influential group of industry leaders,” said Martin Murphy, Joel and Gail Morganroth Endowed Head for Virtual Reality. “By identifying this opportunity and securing the partnership, our goal is to inspire and empower our students through unparalleled access to resources, networking, and mentorship, driving the future of XR technology and reinforcing Ringling’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
The XR Women student chapter at Ringling College was made possible in part by a generous gift from Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth. Their financial contribution was the first-ever eight-figure gift donated to support the College’s Virtual Reality program.
