Husky 100

The UW provided me the opportunity to learn UX design, a field that gives me the skills to connect with and understand the perspectives of widely diverse groups. My design abilities have grown through working in Human Centered Design & Engineering-directed research groups, interning at DirecTV and Hulu, participating in local design challenges, and re-designing UW student tools at UW IT. I’m looking forward to continuing my design experience by identifying sociotechnical problems in the world and designing tools to solve them.

As an Informatics major, a woman in STEM, and a UW student, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to explore the intersection of technology and education through a human-centered lens. Throughout my Husky journey, I’ve mentored students as a teaching assistant, researched accessible methods in computing education, and supported my community of Women in Informatics (WINFO). Since graduating in 2018, I’m excited to continue creating and growing as a technology consultant at Deloitte.

During my time as a Husky, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of technology in our daily lives. Inspired by these, I decide to pursue undergraduate research in Seattle Children’s Innovative Technologies Lab, where I am currently making a video game to better diagnose autism spectrum disorder in children all around the world. I am hoping that this game can act as a cheap and reliable way to diagnose autism, which will hopefully change the way autism spectrum disorder is viewed in society.

Returning to college to finish my undergraduate degree as a first-generation student, widow, and mother of four has grown me in unexpected, life-changing ways. As a Haida First Nation’s member, I seek to create information and technology solutions for Indigenous and underserved communities. The Information School’s Informatics program has prepared me well for this work and has also provided valuable research experiences, expanding my future plans to include entering their PhD program this fall.

During my time at the UW and involvement with the Informatics community, I have been able to discover and connect my passions for technology and education equity. My various experiences as an undergraduate teaching assistant, active community volunteer, and diversity inclusion advocate, has helped me realize I am most fulfilled when empowering others and creating change. I will continue to teach and learn from others to make a positive, genuine impact on the communities around me.

Being at the UW has given me access to incredible opportunities and communities that have supported my growth as a Husky. I have successfully organized hackathons, empowered student leaders nationally, and served as the president of my undergraduate student body because someone believed in my capabilities when I sometimes did not. It only takes one person to believe, and as a leader, I will always be there to believe and support others as they pursue their full potential.