Each year, the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) program receives thousands of amazing award applications from eligible students across the country who are interested in tech. To select the national and regional award recipients, volunteers of all experience levels are needed to review and score each submission. It’s a simple and inspiring way to help identify and shape the future leaders within computing, technology, and STEM fields! Volunteer reviewers are crucial in recognizing and encouraging current students, as well as their educators and mentors. Volunteering as a reviewer is a rewarding and convenient way to: Uplift inspiring students who are the future of tech, Help build a supportive #AiCcommunity that celebrates achievements and encourages persistence, Get involved online from anywhere, at your own pace, Volunteers who complete 20 or more reviews will also receive a certificate - a wonderful addition to your professional portfolio!

NCWIT celebrates the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed away at 91 earlier this month Goodall’s legacy is one of courage, hope, and action. As NCWIT continues to support the next generation of innovators, her example serves as both a beacon and a challenge: to lead with heart, work collaboratively, and believe deeply in the power of change. In a 2020 NCWITConversations for Change event, Dr. Brad McClain - Director of Corporate Research at NCWIT - spoke with Dr. Goodall about her Roots & Shoots program, and the power of young people to drive global transformation: “Roots and Shoots is about listening to the voices of young people,” she explained. She showed the world that young people are not just future leaders - they are leaders now.

Did you know that the tech talent gap is growing? The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be 3.9 million computing-related jobs in the U.S. by 2033; however, only a third of these positions can be filled with the current pipeline of U.S. computing bachelor’s degree recipients. To bridge this gap domestically and remain competitive in the global marketplace, it is essential to broaden participation in computing across all segments of society. In the NCWIT Media Hub learn how NCWIT's research-backed, ecosystem-based approach is addressing this.

Nearly half of interviewed students (12 of 25) held predominantly positive views of GenAI, focusing on its potential benefits for education, addressing global ethical problems, and advancing their careers. These students viewed AI as a useful tool, a force for good, and even as “magical.” This positive perspective was also reflected across nearly all 320 students’ AI reflection projects as well. However, a significant portion of interviewed students (10 of 25) demonstrated sophisticated thinking about AI’s complexity by holding both positive and negative views simultaneously. These critical perspectives on both the good and bad of AI also surfaced across 197 of the 320 student projects analyzed, as students described an idea they had for AI’s usefulness in society, as well as the ethical issues that such a creation might cause. These students appreciated AI’s potential, while remaining critically aware of its limitations and risks. Notably, very few students (3 of 25 interviewed) held entirely negative views, suggesting that when provided with comprehensive education, young people develop balanced perspectives on AI technology.

Introverts have unique strengths that can make them exceptional leaders. In a world that often values extroverted traits, it's time to recognize and unleash the power of introverts. In this engaging session, participants will receive the "stage directions" for introvert success in the form of actionable strategies and inspiration to step out from behind the scenes and confidently take center stage. You'll learn how to recognize and showcase your unique qualities, how to take care of your introvert battery in order to show up as your best self, communication and presentation strategies, and how to embrace visibility. Whether you're an emerging leader or someone looking to elevate your leadership journey, you'll walk away with the tools and mindset needed to lead with impact and purpose.

Artificial intelligence now revolutionizes how we explore life by fueling a renaissance in the field of biology. This new era encompasses rapid scientific advancement, increased specialization, and a push for integration across disciplines. New technologies not only expand the boundaries of what we can study but also demand closer collaboration between experimental and computational science. Whether wielding pipettes at the bench or orchestrating complex models at the keyboard, women stand at the forefront of this transformative era, actively pushing for increased specialization and more collaboration in biology. Across institutions, startups, and global research communities, women play pioneering roles in this dynamic and interconnected frontier.

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to three scientists for discovering a class of immune cells that help to prevent the body from attacking its own tissues. Mary Brunkow, a molecular biologist at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, Washington; Fred Ramsdell, a scientific adviser at the firm Sonoma Biotherapeutics in Seattle, Washington; and immunologist Shimon Sakaguchi at the University of Osaka in Suita, Japan, will share the prize of 11 million Swedish krona (US$1 million) “for their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance”. The trio “have provided fundamental knowledge of how the immune system is regulated”, said Nobel committee member Marie Wahren-Herlenius, a rheumatologist at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, at a press conference announcing the prize. Their discoveries help to explain “how we keep our immune system under control so we can fight all imaginable microbes and still avoid autoimmune disease”. The findings led to the development of a range of therapies for autoimmune diseases that are now in early clinical development, says Samantha Bucktrout, an immunologist at Greywolf Therapeutics in Oxford, UK, who has previously worked with Ramsdell. Dr. Brunkow is the fourteenth woman to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Counselors play a key role in helping students understand how tech connects with other interests, and preparing them for the future of work! Did you know that NCWIT Counselors for Computing offers virtual and in-person professional development nationwide? During these webinars and workshops, you receive actionable strategies to broaden student participation in computing and tech - ensuring that all students have equitable access to the skills and opportunities of the future!

Do you have an energy or science technology that could become a startup? Chain Reaction Innovations, the entrepreneurship program at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, is recruiting its next cohort. Participants receive a two-year fellowship stipend, healthcare, travel and technical assistance funding plus mentorship by an Argonne researcher.

Don’t miss the chance to nominate yourself for an AWIS award! They want to recognize AWIS members who show exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, and dedication to inclusivity across all career stages - from students to mid-career professionals to senior leaders. Self-nominations are due September 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Non-members can join AWIS during the award cycle to be considered.