Southwest Florida Affiliate

Southwest Florida Affiliate

Hello!

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) provides technical girls and women with ongoing engagement, visibility, and encouragement for their computing-related interests and achievements from high school through college and into the workforce. AiC Community members are supported by their peers, volunteers, and NCWIT Alliance member organizations who offer exclusive access to scholarships, internships, and professional work. Community members also give back to others by planning and leading computing experiences for middle school girls and high school women. These opportunities allow women of the Community to strengthen their leadership, technical, and entrepreneurial skills, further preparing and motivating them to participate in the digital workforce.  Follow us on LinkedIn!

Young women currently in 9th-12th grade and interested in computing and technology OR in college with a technical major/minor are invited to join the AiC Community and apply for an Aspirations in Computing Award.  Educators are also encouraged to apply given the importance of their role in encouraging their students along the way!  

The Southwest Affiliate serves the Greater Fort Myers and Sarasota areas (inclusive of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties).

Note:  

  • September 1:  2024-25 high school, collegiate, and educator application window opens 
  • November 8:  2024-25 high school application window closes, parent approval (<18) & teacher endorsements (opt) due by 11/11
  • November 18:  2024-25 collegiate application window closes
  • December 2:  2024-25 educator application window closes
  • December 20:  National Honorees Selected (Honorees will be notified by 1/10/25)
  • February 3:  Regional Honorees Selected (Honorees will be notified at that time)
  • April 5:  2025 Aspirations in Computing Awards Event - FSW Lee Campus, 2-5 p.m.  
  • Impact Report Published

Affiliate Leadership:  

  • Executive Director:  Laura Schmidt, [email protected], (414) 732 9668
  • Awards Event:  Dr. Tracey Lanham (Collier County)
  • Student & Alumni Outreach:  Aimée Jasso (Lee County)
  • Impact Reporting:  Amanda Dickson (Lee County)
  • Career Coaching:  Ashleigh Droz (Lee County)
  • Grants & Sponsorships:  Priya Ahluwalia (Charlotte County)

        NOTE:  We would love to engage a leader within DeSoto, Hendry, Glades and Sarasota Counties - please reach out if interested!

College Intern:​

  • Data Analyst:  Kayla Schmidt, University of Tampa, Major: Business Information Technology

2024-2025 Sponsors:

Gold:  

Silver:

Bronze: 

  • ​SWFL Tech:  Uniting and promoting the tech sector in sunny Southwest Florida!​
  • MoAloo Ventures:  We bring ideas to life!

Note:  Additional support provided by NCWIT Headquarters (Boulder, CO)

2024-2025 Community Partners, Brand Ambassadors and Volunteers:

  • SWFL Tech Alliance:  A collective of tech groups throughout SWFL.  
  • Application Reviewers include representatives from SWFL Tech, SWFL Tech Alliance, and the Fort Myers chapter of Women in Technology & Entrepreneurship
  • The SWFL Affiliate thanks our RAM (Zoe Levitt) and the Wisconsin Affiliate (Joe Kmoch) for their amazing mentorship and support throughout the year!

Please reach out if you would like to join us as a volunteer and/or support our efforts by acting as a tech talent pipeline sponsor.

Affiliate Goals

We commit to increase the geographic diversity and number of qualified candidates annually. We will hold a regional recognition ceremony for the honorees and produce a regional impact report to demonstrate the relevance of the AiC program on tech talent pipeline initiatives across the state of Florida. We will demonstrate a unique regional value proposition for the students honored by the Aspirations in Computing program within Southwest Florida.
Lifetime Partner
Strategic Partners
Investment Partners