Digital Scholars
Digital Scholars is an intensive summer program for high school juniors, seniors and incoming college freshman to build computing skills, increase college and career-readiness, and make connections to Chicago’s dynamic tech community.
Digital Scholars Program
In the summer of 2020, DPI launched the Digital Scholars Program to build a deeper and more diverse pool of students pursuing computer science and tech-related degrees. The program is a partnership between UIC CHANCE, UIUC Grainger College of Engineering, UIUC College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Swift. To date, the program has reached nearly 400 students and involved 175+ representatives from Chicago’s tech community.
This no-cost program is intentional about serving Black, Latine, female, gender-expansive, and first-generation students from Chicago Public Schools and Chicago-area districts.
Course Offerings
Digital Scholars have the opportunity to enroll in one of five courses:
- Data Science Discovery – explore the dynamic field of data analysis and visualization using real-world data sets
- Exploring Electrical and Computer Engineering – Learn about the intersection of hardware and software through hands-on projects that include circuits, signal-processing, and more
- Foundations of Computer Science & Coding – Discover the fundamentals of computer science principles using the Java or Kotlin programming languages
- iOS App Design – Learn Ui/UX design principles and create a working prototype of a mobile app using Swift and Xcode // access an opportunity to showcase at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue
- Programming in Swift – Learn to code in the Swift programming language through mini-mobile app projects
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, entrepreneurship, 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 communication, collaborating in teams, how to create a personal brand and build a professional network, as well as other work-readiness skills.
Become a Digital Scholar
Rising 11th and 12th grade students, as well as first-year college students at City Colleges of Chicago and Illinois institutions, are invited to apply to this summer program. The 2025 Digital Scholars Program will take place daily and in-person from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM beginning Monday, June 23rd through Friday, August 1st, 2025 at 565 W. Adams Street in downtown Chicago.
Application closed
Student Testimonials
“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
2021 Digital Scholar (Mobile App Development); Senior - Bolingbrook H.S.
“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
2021 Digital Scholar (CS 100), First-Year CS Major at UIC
“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
2020 Digital Scholar (CS 111), First-Year CS Major at UIC
“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
2021 Digital Scholar (CS 100); First-Year CS Major at UIC
Digital Scholars Speakers, Supporters, and Workshop Hosts
DPI’s ambitions are large and transformative in scale. The Pritzker Tech Talent Labs 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
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- 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! Click here to fill out our interest survey!
Contact the K-12 Student Programs Team at dpi-pttl@uillinois.edu for additional questions or more information!
- Are you a student who would like to learn about tech and connect with practitioners in Chicago’s