Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <article> <h1>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:36:24 +0000</p> <span>Advancing AI Accessibility and Policy</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:36:24-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:36">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:36</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) has given Tanisha Shende ’26 the tools to grow not only as a computer science researcher but also as a caring and civic-minded researcher.</p><p>Shende entered �鶹��Ƶ as a <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG Scholar</a>. Run by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides first-year students with specialized mentoring and resources to help them adapt to and thrive in their STEM journey. As her first research endeavor, Shende spent her first-year winter term in a computational astrophysics lab with Professor Jillian Scudder.</p><p>Soon after, Shende earned a research role with XR Access, a Cornell Tech initiative that aims to make virtual reality programs more accessible for people with disabilities. There, she found a deeper sense of purpose in the human impact of her work.</p><p>Shende continued her journey as a computer science researcher during her second year, where she clarified her interest in making technologies such as AI more accessible across sectors. One of her projects was designing a generative AI program to make visual art more accessible to blind and low vision (BLV) users, which led her to publish a paper and present at the 2024 AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence.</p><p>At �鶹��Ƶ, where she’s majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">mathematics</a>, Shende is active in the undergraduate research community. She joined BRANCHES as a community leader, helping to create inclusive programming and support networks for STEM students. She later became a research ambassador for OUR, guiding students as they entered the undergraduate research space.</p><p>Shende also utilized resources from the <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development (CED) office</a> to expand her understanding of technology from policy and economic viewpoints. She worked with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomacy Lab and served as a student delegate to the Athens Democracy Forum, examining AI and other technologies from the perspective of governance and public policy.</p><p>In addition, Shende volunteers at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, where she supports adult learners navigating barriers such as childcare and technology access. “I am building a provider–service database and prototyping a web platform and Large Language Model-based assistant that guides learners toward appropriate programs and enables smoother, more accountable handoffs.”</p><p>Shende was selected as a Goldwater Scholar and spent last summer at the MIT Summer Research Program in the Media Lab. “Altogether, my CELA experiences have grounded my academic journey in purpose, equity, and community. They shaped the researcher I am now and the one I hope to become as I move into graduate study and work at the intersection of technology, policy, and society.”</p><p>Shende is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Computer science and math major Tanisha Shende ’26 combines high-level AI research with global policy to create equitable technology.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Finding Confidence and Community Through �鶹��Ƶ’s Bonner Scholars Program</h1> <p>kviancou — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:05:03 +0000</p> <span>Finding Confidence and Community Through �鶹��Ƶ’s Bonner Scholars Program</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-23T13:05:03-04:00" title="Monday, March 23, 2026 - 13:05">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 13:05</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Erica Vu ’26 credits the <a href="/bcsl/programs/bonner-scholars">Bonner Scholars Program</a> within the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> with helping her find her confidence, her community, and her sense of purpose at �鶹��Ƶ.</p><p>As a Bonner Scholar, Vu has taken on a wide range of volunteer projects and leadership roles while at �鶹��Ƶ. Since her first semester, she has committed much of her time to the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra (NOYO). There, she learned the behind-the-scenes logistics of orchestral performances and eventually took on a new role as a production assistant. “While it was a lot of work, I saw that I have the potential to be a leader and that I am a valued asset to my work environment,” she says.</p><p>Vu also spent a summer working as a camp counselor at the Teen Action Support Center in Northwest Arkansas. “I worked with a team of social work graduate students to provide a free summer program for teens ages 13-17 within the probation system, allowing them to gain new, enriching experiences,” she says. �鶹��Ƶ’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development (CED) office</a> helped her fine-tune her resume, draft a cover letter, and prepare for her interview as she pursued this role.</p><p>Seeking an opportunity beyond the Bonner Program, Vu applied for funding through CED’s <a href="/career/set/internship-plus">Internship+ Program</a> to volunteer with �鶹��Ƶ’s Legion Garden. With that support, she spent a summer living on campus and volunteering full time at the garden.</p><p>Vu is also deeply involved in �鶹��Ƶ’s undergraduate research community. A mathematics major, she conducts research on campus and serves on the <a href="/clear/tutoring/branches-community-leaders">BRANCHES</a> team, helping to plan inclusive events that connect STEM students with research and career opportunities. She also serves on the Bonner leadership team. “My college adventure would not have been as fulfilling without the community that I was introduced to as a Bonner.”</p><p>Vu continues to volunteer at NOYO as the production assistant manager and checks in often with her friends at Legion Garden. After graduating, she plans to continue working in the nonprofit sector. “Uplifting, engaging, encouraging, and working with my community to empathetically strive for a better world isn’t what many people think of when they hear about math majors, but I want to challenge myself to change that narrative.”</p><p>Vu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By pairing mathematics research with hands-on nonprofit leadership and youth mentorship, Erica Vu ’26 is charting a community-centered path beyond �鶹��Ƶ.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-23T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2358">Undergraduate Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Obie Goes for Gold in Milano Cortina</h1> <p>awillia2 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:12:30 +0000</p> <span>Obie Goes for Gold in Milano Cortina</span> <span><span>awillia2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-05T16:12:30-05:00" title="Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 16:12">Thu, 02/05/2026 - 16:12</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong jscontroller="zYmgkd" jsuid="hD1RY_14" data-processed="true">UPDATE (Feb 18):</strong> <em jscontroller="yHWXO" jsuid="hD1RY_15" data-processed="true">Liz Lemley has won two medals for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Games: gold for women's moguls and bronze for women's dual moguls.</em></p><p>Two years ago, <a href="https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/athletes/elizabeth-lemley" target="_blank">Liz Lemley</a> suffered a season-ending injury. Today, she’s headed to the XXV Olympic Winter Games.</p><p>A Vail, Colorado, native, Lemley was barely a toddler when she started skiing. She made her debut in the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup at just 15, among the youngest on the circuit. At the 2022 Junior World Championships, she captured gold in moguls and silver in dual moguls. Two years later, she won the gold in dual moguls at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea.</p><p>After that victory, Lemley tore her ACL, forcing her to spend the remainder of the 2024–25 season recovering.</p><p>Just weeks ago, she completed a remarkable comeback, qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The milestone marks her Olympic debut and the first Games to feature dual moguls as an official event. In dual moguls, two freestyle skiers race side by side down a bumpy course, performing aerial tricks off two jumps. </p><p>Lemley was admitted to �鶹��Ƶ’s Class of 2029, but deferred her enrollment until next fall. And even with her focus on the Olympics, she’s eager to begin her college career.</p><p>“I think for most of us, going to college means meeting new people, and that’s no different for me,” she says. “I’m really excited to step outside my bubble and get to know all the different personalities and characters that will be at �鶹��Ƶ alongside me.”</p><p>Lemley’s �鶹��Ƶ roots run deep. Her father, Wayne Lemley ’76, is a proud alumnus who studied <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" target="_blank" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5d626c81-d003-4a34-8f7e-e5582513620f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Mathematics">math</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" target="_blank" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d0bfd252-6dab-44ac-9cef-d17de6c98750" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Physics and Astronomy">physics</a>. </p><p>Cheer on Liz as the women’s moguls and dual moguls competitions kick off Tuesday, February 10.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Freestyle skier and incoming first-year student Liz Lemley represents Team USA in her first Olympic Games.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-02-06T12:00:00Z">Fri, 02/06/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Danielle Frezza</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4152">Physics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy" hreflang="und">Physics and Astronomy</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Liz Lemley (far left) with her teammates.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Liz Lemley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-47857" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-cont-img-section paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <div class="image-grid image-grid--single-caption pull"> <div id="obj-47856" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-image-row paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="image-row"> <div class="image-row__images" data-cols="2"> <div id="obj-47854" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--default"> <figure> </figure> </div> <div id="obj-47855" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--default"> <figure> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="figcaption"> <div class="figure__credit"> Photo credit: Courtesy of Liz Lemley </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Goldwater Scholarship Recipient Tanisha Shende ’26 Aims to Make Virtual Reality More Accessible</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 01 May 2025 19:43:41 +0000</p> <span>Goldwater Scholarship Recipient Tanisha Shende ’26 Aims to Make Virtual Reality More Accessible</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-01T15:43:41-04:00" title="Thursday, May 1, 2025 - 15:43">Thu, 05/01/2025 - 15:43</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national undergraduate scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics, provides funding for educational endeavors. Shende will spend the upcoming summer conducting research at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with plans to work on the ethics and governance of technology at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.</p> <p>“I am still exploring research areas,” says Shende, “But I’ve already done a lot of work in making existing technology more accessible for disabled people and developing assistive technology. Regardless of my specialization, I want the technology I study and develop to contribute to social good.”</p> <p>Read more about Shende’s academic journey and career goals in this interview.</p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Shende. Photo by Rosen Jones</figcaption> </figure> <p> </p> <p><strong>How does this scholarship align with your career goals?</strong><br> My goal is to earn a PhD in computer science and a JD or a graduate degree in technology and policy. I am still exploring research areas, but I’ve already done a lot of work in making existing technology more accessible for disabled people and developing assistive technology. Regardless of my specialization, I want the technology I study and develop to contribute to social good, so I want to conduct research in an academic or industry setting while also collaborating with non-profit organizations, legislative bodies, governmental agencies, etc. The Goldwater Scholarship provides logistical support—I will apply my award to my tuition—but more importantly, it has identified me as a high-performing and high-potential researcher to graduate programs and fellowships. This visibility and credibility will be crucial as I move toward my goals because I want to be a creative and influential voice in the field. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How does this scholarship build on your previous studies and activities at �鶹��Ƶ? </strong><br> My research areas include human-computer interaction, human-centered design, and accessibility. I study the ways that technology can reinforce and mitigate social issues, such as how AI can describe images and surroundings to blind and low-vision people, but also how it can perpetuate labor exploitation and environmental harm and how it can transcend geographical and physical limitations but remain a legally ambiguous space where digital harm outpaces existing regulation and case law. My work is inherently interdisciplinary, so I took advantage of �鶹��Ƶ’s course offerings as a STEM major with a sociology minor. </p> <p>My computer science, mathematics, and data science education have been invaluable in developing my technical foundation, but I’ve found my humanities and social sciences courses to be equally useful. For example, during my first year, I wrote a review paper on the impact of stigma and forced assimilation on autistic people for my Research and Reasoning in STEM course under <a href="/gunnar-kwakye">Professor Gunnar Kwakye</a>. Then I studied the experiences of disabled people in healthcare and higher education in <a href="/alicia-smith-tran">Associate Professor Alicia Smith-Tran</a>’s Medical Sociology course. That summer, at Cornell University, I developed a research study on the experiences and challenges of autistic people in social virtual reality, and I contributed to a study on disability disclosure in the workplace, university, and social media. </p> <p>During my second year, I became more immersed in educational equity through my positions in <a href="/undergraduate-research">OUR</a> and <a href="/clear">CLEAR</a>, and I took <a href="/daphne-john">Associate Professor Daphne John</a>’s sociology course Unequal Educations. These experiences supported my summer research at Gallaudet University on the impact of augmented reality on d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. My research projects at Cornell and Gallaudet were heavily featured in my Goldwater application. I highlighted my interdisciplinary interests and community involvement in my personal statements and activities section. My win symbolizes the culmination of these studies and activities.</p> <p><br> <strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you as an academic, thinker, and person?</strong><br> As a small, liberal arts institution, �鶹��Ƶ carries a love for humanity that’s inspired my work. From the long history of student protests to the multitude of community-engaged organizations, the people here hold empathy for each other and the world as a whole. I began college as a physics major, intent on studying galaxies and stars, but during a September night at the observatory, I found myself more interested in the happenings on the ground than in the stars. At another institution, I may have clung strictly to the sciences, but �鶹��Ƶ and its students hold so much respect for the humanities that I felt encouraged to embrace human-centered technology. There’s a real audience here for work that leverages academia and technology for social good. Despite being a computer science and mathematics major, I’ve been able to enter the spaces of other disciplines due to the many opportunities here, such as the Athens Democracy Forum Student Delegation and the Law and Justice Scholars Program.</p> <p>On a more personal level, I’ve appreciated the freedom and trust given to me by faculty and staff. I’m ambitious, and I’ve found many wonderful mentors here who’ve encouraged that fire and supported me professionally and personally. They’ve taken an interest in my ideas and goals, given me advice and opportunities, and nominated me for awards. Whenever I had an original idea for a research project or campus initiative, they supported me and gave me the connections and resources needed to execute it. I’m so fortunate to have people who recognize my potential and are committed to cultivating it rather than holding me back. Their confidence in me has boosted my self-esteem and self-efficacy. </p> <p><br> <strong>What are your plans for 2025-26?</strong><br> During the academic year, I will continue my ongoing research projects in computer science and education and prepare my papers for publication and presentation. Furthermore, I will apply to a variety of graduate programs, including PhD programs in computer science, JD-PhD programs, and master’s programs at the intersection of technology, public policy, and sociology. I am also preparing to apply for fellowships and scholarships, including the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. </p> <p>Beyond my academic work, I’m excited to continue working toward educational equity and responsible technology. I will attend the Athens Democracy Forum in October as a student delegate and implement programming on technology and democracy at �鶹��Ƶ. Through my positions at OUR and CLEAR, my goal is to further boost the visibility and accessibility of STEM and undergraduate research through workshops, mentorship, and community-engaged research on systemic barriers. Finally, I will continue working with adult education providers and learners through the <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Center for Service and Learning</a> to design a technological system supporting educational attainment, retention, and success.</p> <p>Research is central to my character and the language through which I contribute to social good. I learned about the Goldwater Scholarship during my second year, and I read articles about �鶹��Ƶ’s previous winners and wanted to be like them. Although the scholarship has financial benefits, its main draw for me was its status as a prestigious signifier of excellence and potential within research. It validates that I’m capable of the rigorous, advanced research I’ve always dreamed of doing. This recognition is meaningful for someone who has struggled with visibility, self-doubt, and exclusion, who has had to build her confidence brick by brick in spaces that don’t always recognize her right away. It tells me and the world that I belong here.</p> <p><br> <strong>What activities were/are you involved in at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong><br> I am an <a href="/bcsl/programs/engaged-learning-lab/ell-current-projects">Engaged Learning Lab Research</a> fellow at the Bonner Center, working to systematize communication and transitions between adult education programs in northeast Ohio. I conduct research on computer science education under <a href="/cynthia-taylor">Associate Professor Cynthia Taylor</a>. Within <a href="/undergraduate-research">Undergraduate Research</a> and the Center for Learning, Education and Research in the Sciences, I am a research ambassador, <a href="/clear/tutoring/branches-community-leaders">BRANCHES</a> community leader, and <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> scholar. I am a consultant within the �鶹��Ƶ Research Group, conducting political research sanctioned by the U.S. State Department, and I am a 2025-26 Law and Justice scholar. Additionally, I am a 2024-25 <a href="/career/set/obs">Ashby Business Scholar</a> and a peer career advisor for the <a href="/career/career-communities/finance-business-and-consulting">Business, Consulting, and Finance Career Community</a>. Finally, I serve on the <a href="/current-students/senate">Student Senate</a>’s Academic Affairs and Health and Wellness committees.</p> <p><br> <strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong><br> A healthy level of entitlement can be a survival skill. If there is a certain future you want, you need to convince yourself that you deserve it and you’ll do whatever it takes to obtain it. If you reject yourself before anyone else does, then you’re not allowing other people the chance to see you and believe in you. When you're already navigating a world that’s against you due to class, identity, or circumstance, you can’t afford to be one of the forces working against your own potential. This is easier said than done, and typically, the social factors influencing this mindset begin in early adolescence. Still, I think it’s helpful to fake it until you make it.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><em><a href="/fellowships">Connect with Fellowships & Awards</a> to learn more about the fellowships and awards opportunities available to students.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Shende is among 441 Goldwater Scholarship recipients from an estimated pool of 5,000-plus college sophomores and juniors applicants.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-05-01T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/01/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“Research is a central component of my character and the language through which I contribute to social good,” says Tanisha Shende ’26, a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science">computer science</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics">mathematics</a> major from Lodi, New Jersey. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3898">Stem</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2594">CLEAR</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gunnar-kwakye" hreflang="und">Gunnar Kwakye</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alicia-smith-tran" hreflang="und">Alicia Smith-Tran ’10</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/daphne-john" hreflang="und">Daphne John</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/cynthia-taylor" hreflang="und">Cynthia Taylor ’02</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Tanisha Shende ’26 researches virtual reality to make existing technology more accessible for disabled people.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen Jones</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>At �鶹��Ƶ, success is around every corner</h1> <p>mreed — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:10:32 +0000</p> <span>At �鶹��Ƶ, success is around every corner</span> <span><span>mreed</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-02-10T10:10:32-05:00" title="Monday, February 10, 2025 - 10:10">Mon, 02/10/2025 - 10:10</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When Jesse Cruz ’25 joined the <a href="/node/54566">Ashby Business Scholars Program</a> last year, it opened his eyes to a new way of kicking off his career journey. Even for those who aren’t business majors, the organization provides countless opportunities to all Obies joining the workforce.</p> <p>“It completely changed my approach to applying and interviewing,” he says. “I realize now utilizing the alumni from �鶹��Ƶ is a path that has the highest success. I’ve met a ton of alumni now and they have all been incredibly supportive, some even telling all of us in Ashby, ‘Talk to me, get a line of communication going, we’ll refer you into the company and get you a better shot.’”</p> <p>When Jesse begins working at Synchrony–a consumer financial services company–after he graduates in May, he’ll take this networking knowledge with him into the business world. As a <a href="/node/3371">math</a> and <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> double major, he’s also excited to apply his �鶹��Ƶ coursework to his new position.</p> <p>“Majoring in math was an expansion of not only analytical thinking but also just a new perspective on how to view the world, which I thought was very awesome,” he says. “I think the class that changed a lot of my perspective on things in general was called Linear Optimization, and it was taught by <a href="/node/5971">Bob Bosch</a>.”</p> <p>Jesse explains that this course taught him how to apply logic, organization, and problem-solving skills to a wide variety of situations, both academic and professional:</p> <p>“There is a lot of room for me to explore that in my new job. In my internship last semester, Synchrony did these things called IP sprints where we were able to work on our own skills and interests, and so during that sprint I actually worked on optimizing something related to my work and they gave me opportunities to explore that more.”</p> <p>He also emphasizes that this skillset is transferable and an “important tool regardless of field,” encouraging his fellow Obies to explore all their interests to give their careers flexibility.</p> <p>In addition to Ashby and an invigorating curriculum, Jesse credits the accomplished faculty for creating a valuable and enriching experience at �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>“My professors have made a significant impact on my education, especially coming from my high school where I felt like a little fish in a big pond,” he says. “I had a phenomenal experience with having such a strong line of communication with my �鶹��Ƶ professors, and any time I struggled or was confused about something, there was always an outlet for me to go talk to them.”</p> <p>Jesse looks forward to continuing the skill development he began during his software engineering internship at Synchrony. He returns to the company as a full-time employee this July, and is excited to use software development and mathematical modeling to create innovative solutions that transcend industries. </p> <hr> <p><em>If you’re excited about everything the future has in store, check out <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration and Development </a>to learn how �鶹��Ƶ can help you turn your passions into a fulfilling career.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-02-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 02/11/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Danielle Frezza</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Fourth-year Jesse Cruz reflects on all the ways �鶹��Ƶ College has helped him as a student and young professional: “The most valuable thing you’re getting from this education is learning how to work hard and think very openly.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3955">Ashby Business Scholars</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3519">Early Careers</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:11:35 +0000</p> <span>Aahil Singh ’26 Turns Inspiration to Action</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-27T11:11:35-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 11:11">Tue, 08/27/2024 - 11:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>I spent this summer working on a transportation research paper under Professor Josh Davidson. My focus has been on measuring and improving accessibility to the transportation network, making it more equitable for people across different demographics. In particular, we looked at the concept of ‘Intercity Buses’ (imagine a bus running from Cleveland to Chicago, or from Boston to New York), and how likely people would be to take this bus instead of a flight, given that there are improvements in the current infrastructure that surround intercity buses. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ is quite active in involving students during its faculty hiring process, so I had the opportunity to meet <a href="/node/414931">Professor Davidson</a> during his research presentation back in 2022, before he officially joined �鶹��Ƶ. Having already taken a few quantitative classes in statistics, math, and computer science, I was fascinated by how concepts from these disciplines came together in his work, and the impact it had on urban planning and transportation research. Despite not being able to take a class with him since he joined, �鶹��Ƶ’s intimate size made his office hours very accessible, helping us keep in touch over the course of the academic year. Our ongoing relationship made it possible for us to talk about research topics that had scope for further analysis, and thus came about this project to examine intercity buses.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>Pursuing this internship aligns perfectly with my post-college goals, as I'm potentially aiming to go to graduate school in economics and/or data science. I’ve always enjoyed examining issues from a quantitative lens, and my work in data science this summer deepened that passion. The interdisciplinarity of the field not only sharpened my technical skills, but also reinforced my commitment to using data to tackle complex economic problems, bringing me closer to my career aspirations.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>�鶹��Ƶ’s liberal arts education, with its emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking, has deeply shaped how I approach science and research. This summer, my research exemplified this mindset. Instead of viewing the idea of ‘accessibility’ to transport systems (in this case, intercity buses) purely through the technical lens of data analysis, my research integrated insights from economics, psychology, urban planning, and other disciplines to inform my analysis and methodology. This approach has not only enriched my research but also allowed me to address the problems I’m studying in a more holistic and innovative way.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-14T12:00:00Z">Mon, 10/14/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After being fascinated with the research of <a href="/node/414931">Assistant Professor of Statistics and Data Science Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a>, Aahil Singh ’26 decided to pursue a similar project. As a double major in <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> with a <a href="/node/84821">statistical modeling</a> minor and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a> concentration, Aahil appreciates how concepts can cross disciplines. Through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>, over the summer he worked on a research paper with Professor Davidson on the subject of transportation. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=84821">Statistical Modeling</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joshua-h-davidson" hreflang="und">Joshua H. Davidson ’12</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Aahil Singh ’26 presents his summer research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Aahil Singh ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 18:28:57 +0000</p> <span>Get Down to Business with Cole Tashjian ’25</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-30T14:28:57-04:00" title="Friday, August 30, 2024 - 14:28">Fri, 08/30/2024 - 14:28</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>I was a fixed income trading intern at Invesco. A majority of what I learned was from shadowing fixed income, foreign exchange, and alternatives traders. However, my projects revolved around providing analytics and insights to the team. Throughout the course of the internship, I developed an in-house app using Python, SQL Server, and Streamlit for FX trade analysis reporting and re-architected a dashboard for the global capital markets team to track trade efficiency and revenue generation. </p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <p>The �鶹��Ƶ Finance Club was instrumental in solidifying my interest in finance. Surrounding myself with like minded peers meant I could continue learning outside of the classroom through the clubs weekly meetings. Academically, <a href="/node/417886">Professor M. Udara Peiris</a> has been an extremely valuable resource for me. His improvement of the financial economics curriculum and embracing of students' questions/thoughts has benefitted the school as a whole.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>This past summer, I wanted a markets-based role. Invesco provided the opportunity to experience this with the backing and support of a great team. I have been able to leverage the experience into a full-time job offer I accepted as a Global Investment Banking Analyst at UBS in New York City upon graduation.</p> <p><strong>What business-related opportunities have you had at �鶹��Ƶ that you’ve found to be unique or helpful? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>Outside of the extracurriculars and coursework I have completed, the <a href="/node/54566">Ashby Business Scholars Program</a> was an important piece of my time at �鶹��Ƶ. The program offered me the opportunity to go through intensive coursework surrounding finance topics for 4 months and culminated in meeting alums in the field in Cleveland, Boston, and New York City. The major takeaway from the program that I got was, all Obies are willing and happy to help one another. This provided me with further confidence to reach out to alums and learn about their careers paths/current roles.</p> <p><strong>Knowing that you’re interested in pursuing business/finance, what made you choose �鶹��Ƶ to help you reach that goal? </strong></p> <p>When applying to colleges, I knew that I wanted a liberal arts education. �鶹��Ƶ provides the emphasis on the creative thinking, problem solving component of liberal arts whilst embracing alternative routes toward finance with specific Wall Street programs like the Ashby Business Scholars. This mix of liberal arts and finance focus played extremely well into my interests and attracted me to the college.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Cole Tashjian ’25 knew what he wanted when he came to �鶹��Ƶ College, and got down to business to achieve it. As an <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> major with minors in <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> and <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a>, he set himself up well to go into finance. This summer, he interned at Invesco, and used it as a stepping stone to set up his future career. Here, Cole talks about his role and successes.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4147">�鶹��Ƶ Finance Club</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/m-udara-peiris" hreflang="und">M. Udara Peiris</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Cole Tashjian ’25 and other interns show their completion certificates at Invesco.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Cole Tashjian ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Wyatt Frame ’25 Talks to Whales with Project CETI</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:03:53 +0000</p> <span>Wyatt Frame ’25 Talks to Whales with Project CETI</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-08-22T12:03:53-04:00" title="Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 12:03">Thu, 08/22/2024 - 12:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship. </strong></p> <p>I have had the pleasure of being the summer intern for Project CETI, a nonprofit research organization based in the United States and Dominica that is using cutting edge data collection and processing techniques to listen to and translate communication with sperm whales. Under CETI, I have worked closely with the nonprofit team to help develop collaborations, social media posts, internal memos, and have conducted research on upcoming publications & press.</p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ shape or influence you to pursue this internship?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wyatt Frame ’25</figcaption> </figure> <p>Getting the chance to supplement my mathematics and statistics courses with sociology, philosophy, history, computer science, and more has consistently motivated me to appreciate the types of research that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration in the way that CETI does. Since working with CETI, I have learned a considerable amount about linguistics and marine biology, fields that I had never been exposed to in the past. </p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong></p> <p>I have been looking for an involved experience in the professional world throughout my time at �鶹��Ƶ, and my leaders at CETI have done a great job mentoring me through my first time with daily operations, communication, and organization in the workplace. I feel strongly that what I have learned this summer will carry over following graduation into whatever workplace I experience next.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach science and research?</strong></p> <p>Coming from a mathematics background, working with and learning about the processes of a large-scale, long-term scientific project has been considerably different compared to the theoretical mathematics that I have studied. Seeing the number of moving parts and involved parties working under Project CETI is something that I had not gotten a close look at in my studies leading up to this. In that sense, I’ve gained a genuine appreciation for dedicated research and how a broad inquisitiveness can become a greater whole through collaboration. I hope to take what I’ve learned in my work studying mathematics and one day bring that to the table in an interdisciplinary project like CETI.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Wyatt Frame ’25 is a <a href="/node/3371">mathematics</a> major, but this summer with <a href="/node/460136">Internship+</a> he expanded his horizons into communications and worked with Project CETI, a nonprofit research organization that communicates with sperm whales. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4097">Internship+ Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4150">Mathematics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics" hreflang="und">Mathematics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Wyatt Frame ’25 holds "Let's Dive," a perfume collaboration between Project CETI and fragrance brand DS & DURGA, which was named by whales. He attended the launch event and was the photographer for the day.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Wyatt Frame ’25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>