NCCC Success Story

Where is your hometown?
Portland, OR

What is your major?
BS in Cybersecurity, 2026

What is your preferred language of use: ASL, spoken English, both, or another language?
American Sign Language

Tell me about your high school experience (mainstreamed, only deaf person, were your friends hearing or deaf or both, how would you describe yourself?)
I was mainstreamed and attended a private art school. Most of my friends were hearing.

What process did you use, or what steps did you take, when you were searching for colleges and deciding which one to attend?
Initially, I wasn’t planning to attend college because I was offered a teaching role in theater and performing arts. However, I discovered my passion for STEM, which led me to switch paths and pursue a degree.

When you were searching for a college, what things were important to you?
I prioritized strong STEM programs and hands-on learning opportunities, particularly in cybersecurity.

Why did you choose RIT/NTID?
RIT/NTID has a stellar reputation and excellent programs in cybersecurity. It stood out as a top choice.

How did the way you see yourself as a deaf or hard-of-hearing person influence your decision to enroll at RIT/NTID?
The deaf community at RIT/NTID is actively involved in STEM fields, which was a significant factor in my decision.

What makes RIT/NTID a good fit for you?
RIT offers robust co-op opportunities and hands-on experience, both of which align closely with the needs of the cybersecurity field.

Are there any unique benefits gained at RIT/NTID?
The combination of a deaf-inclusive environment and STEM opportunities is unique to RIT/NTID. The diversity of majors here allows me to learn about other disciplines as well.

Tell me about your friends here (hearing or deaf or both).
My friend group is balanced, about 50/50 between hearing and deaf friends.

Tell me about your involvement on campus (if any).
I’m an active member of the Rochester Wargaming Association and Guild (RWAG), where we play board games and war games. I’m also involved in NODRE (NTID Offensive and Defensive Research for Everyone), a cybersecurity club for the deaf, where I participate in hackathons and Capture the Flag (CTF) events.

How has your experience at RIT/NTID prepared you for your career?
Through programs like U-RISE, I’ve gained mentorship and support to transition into graduate school. This program has provided funding for conferences, opportunities to present and publish research, and connections with deaf TAs and offices. My coursework and extracurriculars have helped me explore areas like natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI), which align with my career interests.

What is your career goal?
I aim to work in reverse engineering but also have a strong interest in NLP and AI. I may pursue a career as a researcher or continue my education in a PhD program focused on STEM or medical science.

Describe RIT/NTID in one word
Rich (in resources and knowledge).

Have you done a co-op yet? If so, please answer these questions:

• Employer Name and Location:
  Center for Culture and Language (CCL) and Deaf Hub (RIT); Re-U at Gallaudet; Accessible Communications and Information Technology (ACIT).
• What was your position and work responsibilities on co-op?
  I worked as a research software developer. My responsibilities included writing programs, developing software, conducting data analysis, creating machine learning programs, writing research papers, presenting workshops, and contributing to research.
• How have your studies at RIT/NTID prepared you for your career?
  My co-op allowed me to expand my skill set beyond the cybersecurity courses I’ve taken. While software development was different from my classes, I chose this co-op to broaden my knowledge and explore new areas.