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Digital Scholars Program

In the summer of 2020, DPI launched the Digital Scholars program to build a deeper and more diverse pool of homegrown students pursuing computer science and tech-related degrees. The program is a partnership between UIC’s CHANCE program, UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering, and UIUC’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. To date, the program has reached 200+ students and involved more than 100 representatives from Chicago’s tech community.

Learn More

Program Components

Digital Scholars is an intensive summer program for high school students and incoming / current college students at the University of Illinois at Chicago or City Colleges of Chicago.

The program is intentional about serving Black and Latinx, CPS and Chicago-area, young women and first-generation students — at NO cost.

Apply Today

 

Click for Program Overview details

summary data about 2021 Digital Scholars

Course Offerings

Students have the opportunity to take one of several courses:

  • CS 111: Intro to Programming (Only UIC Students)
  • Foundations of Computer Science & Coding
  • Mobile App Development
  • Data Science Discovery
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

Industry Connections

Students meet and make meaningful connections with members of Chicago’s dynamic tech community through daily talks with tech entrepreneurs, technologists, business strategists, & civic leaders.

Topical Workshops

Students participate in weekly workshops that dive into key topics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science, and presentations from Chicago’s top tech incubators.

College and Career Readiness

Beyond the college-level course, participating students get additional experiences to build essential skills such as communications, collaborating in teams, how to build their professional networks and other work-readiness skills.

Become a Digital Scholar

Rising 11th and 12th graders and incoming/current students at UIC and City Colleges of Chicago
can choose a summer program pathway in computer science, mobile app development, data science, or electrical & computer engineering.
All programs will be offered in-person (with respect to current CDC guidelines).

The 2023 Digital Scholars Program will take place daily and in-person from 9:00a to 1:00p beginning Monday, June 26th, 2023 through Friday, August 4th, 2023 at the Discovery Partners Institute at 200 S. Wacker Drive

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We invite you to attend our virtual information session!

To qualify for the Digital Scholars Summer Program students must:

  • be a 11th -12th grader in Fall 2023 or graduating high school Summer 2023
  • demonstrate an interest in Computer Science or tech-related fields (ie: computer engineering, computer or data science, entrepreneurship, etc.)
  • be able to work both independently and in groups
  • attend a mandatory, virtual program orientation with a parent/caring adult

 

Click the links below to register for the following session(s).

Tuesday, March 21st, 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Register Here

Tuesday, April 11th, 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Register Here

Tuesday, April 18th, 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Register Here  [The April 18th Info Session is for Womxn+ & non-binary students only.]

Thursday, April 27th, 5:00 – 6:00 pm – Register Here

Digital Scholars Program Partners

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Student Testimonial

“The Digital Scholars program has helped me learn more about computer science, app development and has really made me more inspired about what I want to do in the future.”

Alena Morrisette2021 Digital Scholar (Mobile App Development); Senior - Bolingbrook H.S.
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Student Testimonial

“This was an experience that has greatly changed my mindset and thought process. It gave us the opportunity to have conversations with some of the most successful people in the Chicago tech community.”

Doriyon Ward2021 Digital Scholar (CS 100), First-Year CS Major at UIC
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Student Testimonial

“I’m glad I was able to challenge my computer science skills and work with new people. Not only did they fill me sense of excitement heading towards my career path, but also made me more prepared for life after high school.”

Reggie Adu2020 Digital Scholar (CS 111), First-Year CS Major at UIC
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Student Testimonial

“Being a part this program has been incredibly beneficial to me, especially since I’m a rising Freshman at UIC. We had daily speakers tell us about their life stories and how they got to where they are now… like Anthony Rod from NetherRealm Studios and Amita Shetty from Breakthrough Tech.”

Jakya Bryant2021 Digital Scholar (CS 100); First-Year CS Major at UIC
Digital Scholars

Digital Scholars Speakers, Supporters, and Workshop Hosts

DPI’s ambitions are large and transformative in scale. The Community Education Unit is building programs and partnerships to reach thousands of learners to transform the composition of Chicago’s tech workforce.

We will not be able to achieve this impact without the development of strategic partnerships to map out a learner’s journey from middle school to a successful career in tech. Our Digital Scholars Program partners include school districts, community colleges, non-profit program providers, four-year institutions, and employers.

Get Involved

  • Are you a student who would like to learn about tech and connect with practitioners in Chicago’s dynamic tech community?
  • Are you a parent, teacher, or other caring adult who would like to recommend a student for participation in our programs?
  • Are you an employer or donor who is interested in supporting our efforts through partnership?
  • Sign up for more information here.

For more info, please contact Kay Monelle
Associate Director of High School Programming
E-mail Kay Monelle

Digital Scholars - call to action