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Aijah Welch likes reading better than math. Still, Kay Monelle knew the high school junior could find a place in the world of tech if she gave it a chance.
As is her exuberant nature, Monelle cajoled Aijah into joining the Digital Scholars Program. More subdued, Aijah had to get comfortable with new classmates in a new setting. When she did, her curiosity bubbled to the surface and permeated her summer experience.
“I raised my hand a lot. I wanted to know all about our guest speakers and what they do,” Aijah said, adding, “And I don’t like awkward silences.”
Digital Scholars helps high school and college students build confidence and skills while connecting them with Chicago’s dynamic tech community. The program represents one facet of the future-focused work happening at Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), part of the University of Illinois System. One of 15 Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) hubs, DPI’s work resides in three key spaces:
- tech talent development,
- applied research and development,
- and business building.
Knowing the best way to fuel innovation means including diverse voices, DPI passionately supports and features people from historically underrepresented groups in each endeavor.
Growing need
Monelle, DPI associate director of high school programming, wants girls like Aijah to see and embrace opportunities as Illinois builds a larger and stronger tech workforce.
Often in middle school, though, even girls interested in STEM step away from math and science.
“They don’t see themselves in this space,” Monelle said. “There’s still a factor of telling themselves, ‘Girls don’t do this.’”
Supportive teachers and families can help change that.
“Something we all do as humans is ignore our natural gifts. We think we have to go out and find greatness when it’s inside us all along,” Monelle said. “We have to target the student who may be coasting or having a hard time.
“They need a tap on the shoulder from someone who will show them they’re great and spur them on.”
Aijah’s favorite part of Digital Scholars – beyond getting to know her peers in the program?
“We learned about data and how we use it a lot. I liked learning about all the numbers that go into knowing what products consumers like. It clicked for me. I could see doing that as a job,” she said.
Core values
At Digital Scholars, real-life experiences are as essential as the exposure to computer science and other career options.
One Digital Scholars guest speaker chose to be upfront about her failures.
“She told the students how she had gotten fired. The students love to hear things like that because then they know they don’t have to be perfect either,” Monelle said.
Monelle is perfect for attracting young people to DPI.
“It’s amazing when students I recruited show up at Digital Scholars,” Monelle said. “When Aijah saw me, she shouted, ‘Miss Kay!’ She did something she wasn’t sure about, and it paid off big time.”
Previously at Chicago’s Hyde Park Academy High School, Aijah now attends Proviso East High School in Maywood. After high school, she plans to study data science and data marketing.
“I know when I’m done with college, I can do whatever I want. The tech industry will be even bigger then, and I will find my place,” she said.
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Digital Scholars, in partnership with University of Illinois Chicago's CHANCE Program, strives to build a deeper and more diverse pool of homegrown students pursuing computer science degrees. Monelle, who earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, welcomes parents and educators interested in learning more to email her at kaym@uillinois.edu.
The University of Illinois System’s impact through networks of expertise and support for technology and innovation is just part of what makes us Altogether Extraordinary.
