DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) will host a Feb. 13 awards ceremony to recognize 20 top female high school students in Illinois who aspire to careers in computing.

The event will take place at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005, Chicago, from 2 to 4 p.m. and will feature a keynote address by Ronna Smith-Zahner, senior director at Motorola.

The Award for Aspirations in Computing is a program of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), a coalition of nearly 200 universities, corporations and organizations dedicated to increasing the meaningful participation of women in computing. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to acknowledge the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field and generate visibility for women’s participation in computing-related pursuits. Award-winners have been selected for their outstanding aptitude and interest in computing, and they represent some of the brightest talent in the future of computing.

“As a leading center for computing education, DePaul has long emphasized educational opportunities for women in the field and we are pleased to be hosting an event that recognizes such talented young women,” said CDM Dean David Miller.

“These honorees represent a rich source of future talent in technology and computing, and this Award will be key in encouraging their continued interest and engagement in technology,” said Eileen Sweeney, director of the Motorola Foundation.

The Illinois affiliate of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is a collaborative effort by dedicated volunteers from DePaul University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Girl Scouts of NW Illinois, the University of Illinois Global Campus, Herrin High School and Motorola.

NCWIT’s work leverages the efforts of organizations across the country and connects efforts to increase women’s participation in IT along the entire pipeline, from K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. NCWIT encourages its members to undertake institutional change within their organizations and provides them with the tools and support to be change agents. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing Affiliate Program is sponsored by a generous grant from the Motorola Foundation.

DePaul CDM is one of the most innovative and wide-ranging information technology and digital media schools in the country. The undergraduate programs enroll 1,369 students and offer 14 different degrees. Approximately 1,800 students are enrolled in its 18 graduate programs. CDM also features a doctoral degree program in computer science. For more information, visit www.cdm.depaul.edu.