Closing a Chapter - Graduating from UIC
On May 6, 2023, I graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Art. The sun was out, my family was there, and all around me were the people I’d shared this journey with. It was surreal and joyful.
When I started at UIC, I had a clear idea: I wanted to build things. But as the semesters rolled by, I realized that creativity was going to play just as big a role in my path as code ever would. From experimenting with immersive tech in VR/AR courses to spending time in darkrooms for photography, UIC gave me room to explore both logic and storytelling.
I also found myself teaching—initially just to give back, but it turned out to be one of the most meaningful parts of my undergrad. Whether it was helping students build their first app in CS 378 or explaining software design patterns in Framework-Based Development with Professor Mark Hallenbeck, teaching made me a better communicator, collaborator, and problem-solver. The photo with Professor Hallenbeck is one I’ll always treasure.
Some memories stood out in big ways—like presenting my research at the UIC Student Research Forum and winning 3rd place, or working on ROCTA back in 2021, which won the Engineering Expo and introduced me to the thrill of building something practical that actually worked.
And then there were the quieter moments: coding in the ELICIT Lab late at night, sketching interfaces in notebooks, collaborating with classmates who turned into close friends. These are the parts I’ll hold onto just as tightly.
Graduation day felt less like the end of something, and more like a moment to look around, smile, and take it all in. I left UIC not just with knowledge, but with a clearer sense of what excites me, what challenges me, and what I want to build going forward.
To anyone still in the middle of the journey: enjoy it. Celebrate the big wins, laugh through the bugs, lean on your people, and follow your curiosity. You’ll come out the other side with more than you expected.
And for everything UIC gave me—opportunities, mentors, friends, and memories—I’m deeply grateful.