Providence, R.I. – Oct. 8, 2013 – The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and its Rhode Island affiliates announce a call for applications for the 2013 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. The application deadline is October 31, 2013.
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Awardees are selected for their outstanding capacity and interest in computing and technology, proven leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.
“This program is aimed at closing the gender gap in the technology workforce,” said Ruthe Farmer, Director of Strategic Initiatives of NCWIT. “By recognizing young women for their technical potential at this early stage, we are providing the vital encouragement and visibility needed to revolutionize the face of technology.”
“Last year, we honored three truly talented young women and were able to connect them with three equally inspiring women working in technology roles at Rhode Island companies,” said JoAnn Johnson, manager of youth and education programs at Tech Collective and co-chair of the NCWIT RI affiliate. “We are very much looking forward to this year as we continue to engage, support, and recognize very talented students in the IT fields.”
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing offers both a national and local award competition to generate support and visibility for young women’s participation in computing around the country. Formed in 2011, the NCWIT Rhode Island affiliate is comprised of Brown University, Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, and co-chairs Roger Williams University and Tech Collective, Rhode Island’s IT and Bioscience industry association. This is the second year the awards have been made available at the local award level in Rhode Island. Last year’s NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recipients were:
Fiona Heaney – Rogers High School
Marissa Martell – Chariho High School
Michelle Pajaro – Times2 Academy
Young women attending Rhode Island high schools can apply for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing online through October 31, 2013 at www.aspirations.org.
About NCWIT
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit community of more than 450 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide working to increase women’s participation in computing and technology. NCWIT helps organizations more effectively recruit, retain, and advance girls and women in K-12 through college education, and from academic to corporate and startup careers. Find out more at http://www.ncwit.org.
