Honoring young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests

The National and Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards

The National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women at the high-school level for their computing-related achievements and interests. Award recipients will be selected for their computing and IT aptitude, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education. Minnesota Aspirations Award applicants will automatically be entered into the national NCWIT Aspirations Award competition.

Apply online

Application period ... Sept. 1 - Nov. 5, 2020

Step 1: Visit the NCWIT website.

Step 2: Create a User Profile.

Step 3: Log in and apply.

Get Started

It starts with honorees and parents attending an awards banquet…..and ends with the young women walking out the door with numerous mentors to help guide their technology education and career aspirations.

ASPIRATIONS AWARDS NEWS

Aspirations in Computing Summer Intern Program Succeeds Amidst COVID Disruptions

MNAiC seeks additional summer internship partners for 2021. Learn more about how internships can help your company achieve business goals, including opportunity to play a critical role in building and sustaining a Minnesota technology pipeline filled with diverse, high quality talent. For more information, email Russell.Fraenkel@metrostate.edu.

2020 Aspirations in Computing Rising Star Honorees

2020 Aspirations in Computing Certificate of Distinction Honorees

2019 Aspirations in Computing Certificate of Distinction and Rising Star Honorees

Announcing the 2018 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards Honorees

The 2018 Aspirations in Computing Awards ceremony, was held on April 17th. 35 Minnesota high school young women were recognized for their technology related interests and achievements.

Minnesota Aspirations In Computing Awards for High School Women Seeks Applicants

MNAiC expands employer engagement opportunities for young women with a passion for computing.

2018 Aspirations in Computing Certificate of Distinction Honorees

Where Are They Now: Molly Andersen

In our fifth ‘Where are They Now’ feature, we meet with Molly Andersen, a 2013 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards honorable mention recipient from Mendota Heights.

Announcing the 2018 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards Honorees

The 2018 Aspirations in Computing Awards ceremony, was held on April 17th. 35 Minnesota high school young women were recognized for their technology related interests and achievements.

Where Are They Now: Ananya Mishra

In our fourth feature, we meet with another extraordinary MNAiC Alumna, Ananya Mishra. She is a 2014 Aspirations in Computing Awards national honorable mention recipient and 2013 Minnesota state winner from Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Where Are They Now: Sarah Aladetan

We meet with MNAiC Alumna Sarah Aladetan in the third feature of the “Where Are They Now” series. Sarah was a 2013 Aspirations in Computing Awards national winner and Minnesota state winner from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

Where Are They Now: Erin Mitchell

In the second publication of the “Where Are They Now” series, we meet with MNAiC Alumna Erin Mitchell, a Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards 2013 state runner-up and 2014 state winner from Lakeville, Minnesota.

Strength in Numbers — Leads to Positive Disruption

Lisa Schlosser, CTO and VP of FindLaw (Part of Thomson Reuters), shares her educational and career pathway and why it is important to build a pipeline to a future in technology for girls as early on as possible.

MNAiC Launches #MNGirlsDisruptTECH Campaign

The #MNGirlsDisruptTECH campaign was developed to challenge young women in grades 9 to 12 across the state to embrace their interests and aspirations in computing, step out into the limelight and join the movement to disrupt gender equity in Tech by applying for the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award — winners from the state and national level are awarded life changing opportunities that include scholarships, internships, job shadow experiences, mentor relationship, resources and much more.

Where Are They Now: Maria Sanchez Lopez

In the first publication of the “Where Are They Now” series, we meet with Minnesota Aspirations in Computing (MNAiC) Alumnae, Maria Sanchez Lopez, a 2014 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards state winner. The powerful story of her accomplishments does not end at the recognition ceremony in the spring of 2014, it's just beginning!

MORE Aspirations News

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Who may apply?

We encourage young women enrolled in Minnesota schools in grades 9-12 to apply.

Note: If in doubt about your readiness to be recognized, simply apply. You may be surprised with the outcome! All applicants are eligible, and will be invited to participate, in a variety of technology activities offered in the months ahead.

Why Apply?

This award celebrates and recognizes your leadership ability and academic history, along with your computing-related interests, aspirations and achievements. Aside from the scholarships, connections to employers and prizes, winning this award can be a life-transforming experience.

Additional Prizes

Award Recipients are eligible for additional prizes, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and other higher education scholarships, tech devices, cash rewards, job shadowing opportunities and the grand prize … a paid summer IT internship at a Minnesota company or organization.

APPLYING FOR THE AWARD

2020-21 Award Application Dates to Remember:

We are excited to announce these key dates for the upcoming season:

September 1, 2020: Aspirations in Computing High School & Educator Applications Open.
November 5, 2020: Aspirations in Computing High School Applications Close.

What should I include on my application?

Preview the application before applying
Review this file to help you gather all of the information you will need to complete your award application.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Still have questions?

EMAIL RUSS FRAENKEL

2019 ASPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN IN COMPUTING AWARDS

NATIONAL CENTER FOR WOMEN & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SPONSORS / SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Help inspire the next generation of women technologists.
Become an Aspirations in Computing Award Program sponsor.

Learn more about sponsor opportunities, including donating prizes, sponsoring/hosting the awards event, providing job shadow and mentor opportunities to award recipients, and more.

ASPIRATIONS AWARDS SPONSORS PAGE

TO LEARN MORE, EMAIL RUSS FRAENKEL

Aspirations in Computing Awards Program