USAA Ascent Scholars Program
MORE THAN A SCHOLARSHIP. A PATHWAY TO WHAT COMES NEXT.
The USAA Ascent Scholars program supports students in the College of AI, Cyber and Computing through scholarship funding, intentional professional development, mentoring and meaningful engagement. Scholars build connections, strengthen career readiness and gain experiences that help them prepare for their next steps.
The current scholar cohort is underway, and applications are closed. This page serves as a central reference for participating scholars and an overview of the program for the CAICC community.
Your Scholar Journey
Ascent Scholars participate in a development experience aligned with their stage of academic and career exploration. Scholars are assigned a program level and complete the requirements associated with their level and year of participation.
- Level 1 (Explore)— Discover your strengths and interests, build connections and begin developing career-ready habits.
- Level 2 (Apply) — Put your skills into practice through professional development, engagement and purposeful experiences.
- Level 3 (Launch) — Prepare for the transition beyond college through advanced career preparation and high-impact experiences.
Current Scholars
Your Ascent experience continues throughout the academic year. Use the information below to revisit your commitments, plan ahead and find the resources you need to stay engaged.
Know Your Requirements
Your requirements depend on your assigned scholar level and program year. Refer to your signed scholar agreement for your individual commitments and any approved accommodations or updates communicated by the program team.
Year 1 at a Glance
| Scholar Level | Core Participation Expectations |
| Level 1: Explore | 4 Career Launchpad workshops; 3 CAICC events; 6 peer coach meetings; participation in a student organization or hackathon; attendance at mock symposium. |
| Level 2: Apply | 2 Career Launchpad workshops; 2 CAICC events; 6 peer coach meetings; 1 community service; development of applied project proposal. |
| Level 3: Launch | 2 Career Launchpad workshops; 2 CAICC events; 6 peer coach meetings; 1 community service; development and presentation of applied project proposal. |
Requirements are annual. Scholars should plan for steady progress across fall and spring rather than leaving all activities until the end of the year. Project-focused work is emphasized during the spring semester.
Looking Ahead: Year 2
The second year emphasizes applying skills and completing a capstone experience with a faculty mentor, culminating in a symposium presentation. Scholars will receive year-specific guidance from the program team as they progress.
Questions or Need Guidance?
If you have questions about your assigned level, program expectations, participation or a change in circumstances that may affect your ability to complete a requirement, contact the Ascent Scholars program team. Reach out early so we can discuss next steps.
