National Center for Women & Information Technology facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

National Center for Women & Information Technology
Logo of the National Center for Women & Information Technology
Abbreviation	NCWIT
Founded	August 12, 2004; 20 years ago (2004-08-12)
Founders	Lucinda (Lucy) Sanders Telle Whitney Dr. Robert (Bobby) Schnabel
Type	nonprofit organization
Legal status	501(c)(3)
Focus	Women in Computing
Headquarters	Boulder, Colorado, U.S.
Area served	U.S.
Method	Alliances, Research, and Programs
Chief Executive Officer	Lucy Sanders
Chair	Nancy Phillips
Vice Chair	Thaddeus Arroyo
President, Chief Technology Officer	Terry Hogan
Revenue (2018)	$6,448,227
Expenses (2018)	$6,449,985
Employees (2017)	0
Volunteers (2017)	1,170
Website	ncwit.org

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a special group. It is a nonprofit organization that works to help more girls and women get involved in the world of computers and technology. NCWIT started in 2004. It was founded by Lucinda (Lucy) Sanders, Dr. Telle Whitney, and Dr. Robert (Bobby) Schnabel.

NCWIT's main office is in Boulder, Colorado. This is at the University of Colorado Boulder. Lucy Sanders is the current leader, called the chief executive officer. She was even added to the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2007!

What NCWIT Aims to Do

NCWIT has two main goals, as shared on its website:

To fix the unfair balance of how many girls and boys, or women and men, are in technology.
To help leaders make changes. These changes help to find, keep, and help women grow in computer jobs.

How NCWIT Works

Working Together: Alliances

NCWIT connects many different groups. These groups are called alliances. They include schools (from kindergarten to college), businesses, new companies, and other non-profit groups. There are over 575 members in these alliances.

Helpful Information: Resources

NCWIT creates special guides and information. These are based on research. They help member groups learn how to make changes. They also help people understand why it's important to have more girls and women in computer science and tech jobs.

Big Meetings: Summit

Every year, NCWIT holds a big meeting called the Summit. Hundreds of leaders from companies, schools, and other groups come together. They talk about important topics for women in computing. The event includes workshops, meetings, and inspiring speakers.

Programs and Activities

NCWIT runs many programs and campaigns. These programs have different goals. They help change computer lessons in schools. They also help women in tech become more visible. Some programs encourage high school girls to choose tech careers. Others celebrate women who start their own tech businesses.

Aspirations in Computing

This program is for young women and non-binary students. It celebrates their achievements in computing and technology. It gives awards to high school and college students. It also creates a community for college women. This program helps and encourages young people interested in computing. Sponsors include big companies like AT&T, Bank of America, Google, and Microsoft.

Pacesetters Program

The Pacesetters program brings together NCWIT member groups. These groups promise to quickly increase the number of technical women in their workplaces and schools. Leaders from different organizations work together. They set two-year goals and share their diversity data.

AspireIT

AspireIT is a cool program. High school and college women create and lead computer programs for middle school girls. The older girls become mentors. They teach younger girls about computing. This helps both groups learn and grow.

EngageCSEdu

EngageCSEdu is an online tool. It has thousands of teaching materials for beginner computer science classes. Teachers can upload and download materials. They can also find tips for best teaching practices. All materials are checked by other experts. This helps make computer science education open to women and other groups. Google helped NCWIT create EngageCSEdu.

Sit With Me Campaign

"Sit With Me" is a national campaign. It encourages women in computer careers. They use a special Red Chair as a symbol. The chair means that women need more "seats at the table" in tech. It also encourages everyone to support women in tech. This campaign helps create places where women's contributions in computing are celebrated.

Counselors for Computing (C4C)

This program helps school counselors. It gives them information and tools. They can use these to help all students explore computer science education and jobs.

TECHNOLOchicas

TECHNOLOchicas is a national effort. It helps young Latinas and their families learn about tech jobs. It shares stories from Latinas in tech with different backgrounds. This helps young girls see role models they can relate to. These stories are shared on TV, at events, on social media, and in online videos. Ana Maria Hermida Otero is one amazing Technolochica.

Awards and Recognition

NCWIT gives out many awards. These awards celebrate people who make a difference in getting more women into technology.

Pioneer in Tech Award

This award started in 2012. It honors people who have changed how society sees women in technology. They have made big contributions throughout their lives.

Winners include:

Dr. Erna Schneider Hoover (2023)
Dr. Christine Darden (2015)
Katherine Johnson (2015)
Jean Sammet (2013)

Academic Alliance Seed Fund

This fund gives money to NCWIT Academic Alliance members. They use the money for projects that help bring in and keep women in computing programs. Microsoft Research supports this award.

Student Seed Fund

The Student Seed Fund gives money to student-run programs. These programs aim to attract and support women in information technology. Symantec sponsors this fund.

Symons Innovator Award

This award started in 2009. It is given every year to a successful female computer entrepreneur. It is named after Jeanette Symons, a tech entrepreneur who passed away in 2008.

Winners include:

Anousheh Ansari (2009)
Kim Polese (2010)
Caterina Fake (2013)
Shellye Archambeau (2015)

Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award

This award honors college professors who guide and support women in computer-related fields. They help these women with research and career goals. AT&T sponsors this award.

Harrold and Notkin Research and Graduate Mentoring Award

This award celebrates professors who help women and minority graduate students in computing. They do this by offering research chances and mentorship. The award remembers Mary Jean Harrold and David Notkin.

NCWIT EngageCSEdu Engagement Excellence Award

This award, funded by Google, recognizes teachers. It honors those who use special teaching methods in their beginner computer science classes. These methods help engage all students, especially young women and other underrepresented groups.

Aspirations in Computing Educator Award

This award honors teachers who encourage high school girls to explore tech careers. Winners get money for professional development and are recognized in their schools and communities.

Collegiate Award

The NCWIT Collegiate Award celebrates the technical achievements of college women. It honors their creative projects that can have a big impact on society. Winners can receive a $10,000 cash prize. HP and Qualcomm sponsor this award.

Reel WiT Award

The Reel WiT Award wants to see more women in tech roles in movies and TV shows. It recognizes the best portrayal of a leading woman in technology. This woman should be a role model for girls and women interested in tech. Allison Schroeder, who wrote "Hidden Figures," won this award in 2017.

Main Supporters

NCWIT gets help from government and company partners. These partners are often from the technology world. Key partners include the National Science Foundation, Microsoft, Bank of America, Google, and Intel. Other important partners include AT&T, Bloomberg, and Hewlett-Packard.