Hundreds Gather to Honor Over 60 Young Women Excelling in Tech

MCWT Foundation recognizes scholarship recipients and Girls Solve IT competition champions 

SOUTHFIELD, June 27, 2024 – Over 60 exceptional young women, along with their families and supporters, gathered to celebrate their achievements in technology at the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation’s (MCWT) annual recognition event on June 13. The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of three teams from the Girls Solve IT competition and 49 scholarship recipients, showcasing their talent and potential in Michigan’s ever-growing tech industry. 

“As I experience this event for the first time in my role as Executive Director, I am filled with immense pride. The energy and determination I see in these young women reassure me that the future of Michigan’s tech industry is in capable hands,’ said MCWT Executive Director, Dr. Orletta Caldwell. “Encouraging the growth of our next generation of female tech leaders is critical in breaking down the barriers of gender bias, and MCWT is committed to creating that path for success.” 

This year’s Girls Solve IT competition, sponsored by Ford Motor Co., invited girls in grades 4-8 to participate in a dynamic robotics competition, where teams worked together to complete a series of tech-based challenges. The top three teams were awarded cash prizes, with the following groups emerging as 2024 winners: 

• 1st Place – Team Saline E-Bots

• 2nd Place – Team Firing Phoenixes

• 3rd Place – Team Bedford Girls Solve IT

In addition to the top three, several other teams reached the finalist round, showcasing a remarkable level of skill and innovation. The recognition event, hosted both virtually and in-person at Comerica Bank in Auburn Hills, brought together over 150 attendees. By hosting the MCWT Scholarship and Girls Solve IT award presentations together, MCWT inspires the younger girls by giving them a glimpse into their potential future as tech professionals supported by the organization. 

“Volunteering with MCWT has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Watching these talented young women flourish and knowing that we are helping them take the first steps in their tech careers is truly inspiring,” said Comerica Sr. Tech Manager, Victoria Jackson. “I will always be cheering for women in tech, and I’m honored to support their journey through programs like this.” 

MCWT’s scholarship program plays a vital role in reducing the financial barriers to higher education, awarding scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science. These students have demonstrated not only their academic excellence but also a deep passion for technology. Since 2002, MCWT has proudly invested $1.8 million in scholarships, supporting the education of 360 aspiring tech leaders. 

Corporate sponsors played a significant role in this year’s scholarship program, offering their time, resources, and expertise to help cultivate the next generation of tech talent. Companies such as Ally, Amerisure, aThingz, Baxter, BorgWarner, Comerica Women in Tech, Consumers Energy, Data Intensity, Deloitte Foundation, Little Caesars, Masco, MOTOR, People Driven, SIM Detroit, and Yazaki were instrumental in providing mentorship and funding, demonstrating their commitment to advancing women in technology. 

The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation strives to inspire and grow girls and women in technology fields, with a vision to make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology. The organization supports Michigan’s female IT workforce, students, corporate partners, schools and the overall community with networking, learning, mentoring, and technology experiences for professionals and students. Find more information at www.mcwt.org and connect via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. 

Editor’s note: Scholarship recipient list is below. 

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2024 MCWT Scholarship Recipients 

Each recipient is paired with a mentor who meets throughout the year with the scholar to support her as she navigates her academic years. MCWT’s 2024 scholarship recipients, representing 14 colleges and universities throughout Michigan, include: 

• Friends of MCWT Scholarship: Praseedha Vinukonda (Michigan State University) 

• Riya Bhakkad Memorial Scholarship: Shruti Balla (University of Michigan) 

• Victoria “Katie” Sweet Memorial Scholarship: Adriana Lippolis (Kettering University) 

• Ally Scholarship: Lena Elkoussy (University of Michigan) and Emma Gable (University of Michigan – Dearborn) 

• Amerisure Scholarship: Alexandria Balde (University of Michigan) and Nina Moyski (University of Michigan) 

• aThingz Scholarship: Abigail Brade (Davenport University) and Isla McCubbin-Green (University of Michigan) 

• Baxter Scholarship: Marissa Feole (Michigan Technological University) 

• Borg Warner Scholarship: Kaajal Shah (Michigan State University) and Gurnoor Kaur (University of Michigan) 

• Comerica Scholarship: Poulami Sau (University of Michigan), Rehab Jadallah (University of Michigan, Dearborn), and Evelyn Ortiz-Martinez (Western Michigan University) 

• Consumers Energy Scholarship: Alexis Bliesener (Michigan State University), Faith Szczepanski (Michigan Technological University), Hajirah Nadeem (University of Michigan), and Samantha Scott (University of Michigan) 

• Data Intensity Scholarship: Natalie Hilliker (Michigan Technological University), Carrie Honore (University of Michigan), and Kanika Mohan (University of Michigan, Dearborn) 

• Deloitte Foundation Scholarship: Dasia Jackson (Lawrence Technological University), Nuri Hannan (Wayne State University), Elizabeth Smith (Kalamazoo Valley Community College), Nuha Ahmed (Wayne State University), Nadinne Motta (Wayne State University), and Emily Yatooma (Wayne State University) 

• Dow Scholarship: Kajal Modi (Michigan State University), Ashley Siegmund (Michigan State University), and Camryn Toth (University of Michigan)