We are inviting you to the Virtual NCWIT ND & SD Affiliate Aspirations Awards Ceremony to be held on March 29 at 1:00-2:30 pm CST. The Award for Aspirations in Computing honors 9th -12th grade women, genderqueer, and non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. We will also recognize the AiC Educator Award winner who plays a pivotal role in encouraging these students to explore their interests in computing and technology.
We are encouraging everyone to join us for this virtual event. This year, we have enabled the ability for everyone to turn on your cameras to join us in celebrating everyone who has worked hard for their awards. We encourage you to invite your friends and family to congratulate the winners’ accomplishments.
We are excited to share a great speaker with you during the Awards Ceremony. Latasha McCord was formerly the Education Section Chief for Cyber Defense Education and Training (CDET) within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency supporting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CDET provides training and education opportunities broadly to assist in combating the cybersecurity workforce shortage. However, currently, Ms. McCord is on a joint duty assignment, serving as an Associate Director, DHS, Office of Partnership and Engagement, Social Impact (SI). SI fosters community engagement across DHS, with special emphasis on engaging underrepresented and unserved communities. As the Education Section Chief, Ms. McCord was primarily responsibility for K-12 programs such as the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program. However, in previous years, she managed partnerships with the National Security Agency on the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and with the National Science Foundation on the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service program. Ms. McCord holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology degree from Georgia Southern University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Kennesaw State University. She has 12+ years of K-12 education experience, half of which have been spent immersed in STEM education. She is a subject matter expert in designing instruction using available and appropriate technology in all its forms to help create a 21st century classroom environment.