NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) works to close the gender gap in computing and technology through programs that build persistence, computing identity, and confidence in high school and college aged women, non-binary, and genderqueer people. AiC identifies and recognizes potential, creates a sense of belonging, and offers meaningful opportunities to build skills, connect, and to support individuals.
AiC reaches all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. military bases overseas, and Canada.
Support
Your support for Aspirations in Computing will provide an award and prizes for a student, and put them on the path to a bright future in technology.
Programs
Award Recognitions. AiC awards honor aspirations, ability, technical accomplishments, and influential guidance. These awards celebrate potential with the AiC High School Award, technical accomplishment at the Collegiate level, encouragement and influence of formal and informal Educators, and outstanding community service through the Impact Award.
The AiC Community is a phenomenal network of over 30,000 technical students and early-career professionals in computing and engineering who receive benefits such as private invitations to virtual and in-person meetups, visibility for technical achievements, computing outreach opportunities, hands-on activities for exploring computer science concepts, exclusive access to scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and more. The AiC Community is free to join in high school or college.
AiC Stories. Inspired by the TECHNOLOchicas, AiC Stories highlights the individual experiences, interests, and dreams of AiC Community members. This multi-platform campaign increases the visibility of women and underrepresented people in tech. Sharing these diverse stories will help to inspire future generations – because “you can’t be what you can’t see”.
Regional Affiliates bring the AiC Award Recognitions programs to all 50 U.S. States, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. Comprised of dedicated volunteers, many part of an NCWIT Alliance organization, Affiliates are the in person manifestation of Aspirations in Computing.
AiC Results
- Students report higher sense of computing identity, self-confidence, and motivation to pursue computing after participating in AiC
- 90% of AiC Award winners report a major or minor in a STEM field while in college — 80% in computer science or engineering.
- 59% of applicants identified as a person of color (24% BIPOC).
More than 25,000 awards given since 2007, and over 30,000 members in High School (15%); College or Grad School (48%), and early career (36%)
Award recipients from Homer, AK, to New York NY, and from 9th grade to PhD.
AiC Ambassadors Share Their Stories
