BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is now accepting applications for the Award for Aspirations in Computing and the Aspirations in Computing Educator Award.
Any U.S. high school woman with outstanding aptitude and interest in computing is eligible to apply for the Award for Aspirations in Computing, sponsored by Bank of America at the national level and Microsoft at the local level. Applications are open online through October 26, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. EDT: www.bit.ly/AiCHSAward.
Any U.S. high school educator who encourages women’s interest and participation in technology pursuits is eligible to apply for the Aspirations in Computing Educator Award, sponsored by AT &T. Applications are open online through November 9, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. EDT: http://bit.ly/AiCEdAward.
Each award recipient receives recognition at an award event and various prizes including computing resources, gadgets, sponsor swag, engraved awards, and more. Additionally, recipients are granted exclusive online access, financially supported by Bloomberg, to a network of supporters and tech-related opportunities as encouragement to persist in computing education and careers.
“We know that a sense of belonging is a key persistence factor for young women who chose computing degrees and careers,” said NCWIT CEO and Co-founder Lucy Sanders. “Not only do these awards increase the visibility of young technical women and their educators, they also grant entry into an inclusive community of peers that support each other in advancing their innovative dreams. We are grateful for the generous funding from our national sponsors – Apple, AT &T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, and Microsoft.”
These awards are critical for upholding NCWIT’s goal of doubling the talent pool of women available for technology jobs by 2019. Both awards are also components of Aspirations in Computing (AiC), a talent development initiative with end-to-end sponsorship by Apple.
To date, AiC has publicly recognized nearly 4,700 young women for their interests and achievements in technology, and 71% of the participants who are now in college report pursuing a computer science or engineering degree. More than 150 educators have been recognized through AiC as well.
About Aspirations in Computing and NCWIT
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing provides a long-term community for female technologists, from K-12 through higher education and beyond, encouraging persistence in computing through continuous engagement and ongoing encouragement at each pivotal stage of their educational and professional development. AiC is supported nationally by Apple, AT &T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Northrop Grumman, and the Symantec Corporation. AiC serves 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all U.S. military bases overseas. Find out more at www.aspirations.org.
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit change leader network of more than 650 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide working to increase women’s meaningful participation in computing. NCWIT equips change leaders with resources and platforms for taking action in recruiting, retaining, and advancing women from K–12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.
NCWIT receives significant financial support from Lifetime Partner Apple, Strategic Partners NSF, Microsoft, Bank of America, Google, and Intel, as well as from Investment Partners Avaya, Pfizer, Merck, AT &T, Bloomberg, and Hewlett-Packard. View all of NCWIT’s supporters at www.ncwit.org/about/supporters.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=35736
CONTACT: Adriane Bradberry, Communications Director, NCWIT
[email protected]
303.492.5213