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, 2018

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

2018 Aspirations in Computing Certificate of Distinction Honorees

2018 Aspirations in Computing Certificate of Distinction Honorees

Where Are They Now: Molly Andersen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!
Press Release: Announcing The Sixth Annual Aspirations in Computing Award

Press Release: Announcing The Sixth Annual Aspirations in Computing Award

Young women from across the state with emerging aspirations and accomplishment in technology can now apply to be recognized at the 2018 Minnesota Aspirations in Computing award ceremony. Honorees will be awarded tech devices, internships, scholarships and more.
Congratulations, 2017 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards Honorees

Congratulations, 2017 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards Honorees

Read the impressive biographies of the 32 accomplished high school women being honored April 18 at the 2017 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards.
32 Minnesota High School Students Honored in Fifth Annual Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards

32 Minnesota High School Students Honored in Fifth Annual Minnesota Aspirations in Computing Awards

Two Minnesota students named national winners and six named national honorable mentions as program sees continued growth.
Advance IT Minnesota congratulates Shonnah Hughes, recent recipient of the 2016 Ambassadors of Beauty Award

Advance IT Minnesota congratulates Shonnah Hughes, recent recipient of the 2016 Ambassadors of Beauty Award

Award recognizes Shonnah as a champion of change, introducing and influencing youth and women of color to experience aspects of the technology profession.
Aspirations Awards in the News: Twin Cities Radio and Podcast highlight the Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards

Aspirations Awards in the News: Twin Cities Radio and Podcast highlight the Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards

Broadcast 10/23/16: Devan Sayles, Advance IT Minnesota's Russell Fraenkel and Asmita Sarma, senior, Wayzata High School, discuss the 2016-17 Minnesota Aspirations for Women in Computing Awards. (24:40 Podcast).
Aspirations Awards in the News: Young Tech-Savvy Women Encouraged to Apply for Aspirations Awards

Aspirations Awards in the News: Young Tech-Savvy Women Encouraged to Apply for Aspirations Awards

WDIO TV Duluth airs story about Kirsi Kuutti, a past award winner and former student at Duluth East, now a UMD student who also works with NASA.
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.

IMPACT: What has the Awards done for past recipients?
APPLYING FOR THE AWARD

2018-19 Award Application Dates to Remember:

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

  • September 1, 2018: Aspirations in Computing High School & Educator Applications Open.
  • November 5, 2018: Aspirations in Computing High School Applications Close.

What should I include on my application?

APPLICATION CHECKLIST  

Still have questions?

EMAIL RUSS FRAENKEL  
2017 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