Southwest Florida Affiliate

Southwest Florida Affiliate

Hello!

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) program opens pathways into careers in technology from K-12 through career. AiC recognizes and celebrates students' technical aspirations and abilities, and provides an expansive national network to help computing students succeed in the field.  

All students with a demonstrated interest in computing, engineering, or technology — and who wish to support peers facing gender-based barriers in tech — are invited to join the National AiC community.

Benefits of Joining the National AiC Community - JOIN HERE

  • Immediate access to CS resources
  • Immediate access to connect with thousands of peers
  • Opportunities to find mentors and role models
  • Opportunities to gain skills, experiences, and leadership
  • Apply for recognition and awards

The Southwest Florida Affiliate is completely volunteer-run and serves the Greater Fort Myers and Sarasota areas (inclusive of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota).  National AiC Award applications originating from SWFL will automatically be sent to our affiliate to be considered for regional recognition.  Unlike the national award, there is currently no monetary value to being recognized at the regional level (as this requires higher education and/or philanthropic support that we do not currently have).  However, honorees are invited to a regional recognition event in spring, make valuable connections locally, and include the recognition on their college application and/or resume.  The Southwest Florida Affiliate remains focused on creating a supportive community for young women who aspire to have a career in technology. We will be evaluating applications with that in mind.  Click here to review the 2024-25 SWFL AiC Impact Report.  

2025-26 Awards Timeline:

  • September 1:  Application is OPEN (must join the AiC Community FIRST to apply)
  • October 28:    Application window CLOSES at 8 EST; Teacher endorsements due by 11/7
  • January 5:      National Honorees Selected 
  • February 2:    Regional Honorees Selected 
  • March/April:  Aspirations in Computing Awards Event - see last year's slideshow HERE

2025-26 Affiliate Leadership:  

  • Primary Contact:  [email protected]
  • Laura Schmidt, Tech Talent Consulting
  • Aimée Jasso, Google
  • Ashleigh Droz, FGCU
  • Crystal Wernicke, FSW

        NOTE:  Please let us know if you would like to join us!

2025-26 Sponsors:

  • ​SWFL Tech:  Uniting and promoting the tech sector in sunny Southwest Florida!
  • FSW School of Business & Technology:  Building professional skills through modern facilities and technology!
  • TBD - Please email us if you would like a sponsorship package sent to you.  

2025-26 Volunteers:​

  • Application Reviewers include representatives from SWFL Tech, SWFL Tech Alliance, Horizon Council Stem to Career Committee, and the Fort Myers chapter of Women in Technology & Entrepreneurship
  • The SWFL Affiliate thanks our RAM (Zoe Levitt) for her amazing mentorship and support throughout the year!

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.