Can you tell me about your personal experiences
 2
00:00:01.868 --> 00:00:03.403 coming up through the industry?
 3
00:00:03.403 --> 00:00:06.673 There's been so many things when it comes to cyber, and I.T.
 4
00:00:06.673 --> 00:00:08.508 it's like the tree in the forest.
 5
00:00:08.508 --> 00:00:11.244 If it falls, is it is anybody around to hear it type thing.
 6
00:00:11.244 --> 00:00:14.447 So you could do some great things and no one will ever know.
 7
00:00:14.447 --> 00:00:16.349 Sometimes you don't want people to know.
 8
00:00:16.349 --> 00:00:19.619 The biggest thing is navigating the unwritten rules, right?
 9
00:00:19.652 --> 00:00:21.254 And that's part of the culture.
 10
00:00:21.254 --> 00:00:24.557 And that's why it's important that you understand what you want to do
 11
00:00:25.492 --> 00:00:27.460 and how to get into it and who to talk to.
 12
00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:28.495 So throughout my years,
 13
00:00:28.495 --> 00:00:31.498 I've seen a lot of different challenges that have nothing to do with a computer.
 14
00:00:31.531 --> 00:00:35.835 So that leads to a lot of decision making that some you're proud of,
 15
00:00:35.835 --> 00:00:36.636 some you're not.
 16
00:00:36.636 --> 00:00:39.639 But understanding again, the industry that you're getting into
 17
00:00:39.639 --> 00:00:40.840 and the culture behind it.
 18
00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.043 There's a lot of rules you will not see.
 19
00:00:43.043 --> 00:00:46.046 You'll never see them, but you will definitely feel them and understand them.
 20
00:00:46.046 --> 00:00:49.749 And that was has been my biggest challenge over the past 25 years.
 21
00:00:49.849 --> 00:00:53.019 But I think the most rewarding thing I've done
 22
00:00:53.019 --> 00:00:56.656 was be a part of James Webb launching into space.
 23
00:00:56.990 --> 00:00:58.958 We actually supported James Webb as they did
 24
00:00:58.958 --> 00:01:01.027 the launch a couple of years ago on Christmas Eve.
 25
00:01:01.027 --> 00:01:03.696 So that has been rewarding because, again,
 26
00:01:03.696 --> 00:01:06.866 how often are you part of a rocket launch into space?
 27
00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:11.037 NASA has shown me some unique things and these have been rewarding
 28
00:01:11.037 --> 00:01:14.541 because of the type of people I get to meet, the type of environments,
 29
00:01:14.541 --> 00:01:18.278 the type of rooms you get to walk in not just at work, but in life.
 30
00:01:18.511 --> 00:01:21.748 I've actually had a chance to meet some very influential people
 31
00:01:21.748 --> 00:01:24.751 outside these walls and have great conversations.
 32
00:01:25.018 --> 00:01:26.986 And it's changed the way I've thought.
 33
00:01:26.986 --> 00:01:29.522 It's changed the way I respond to things.
 34
00:01:29.522 --> 00:01:33.660 It's changed how I actually approach everyday life and it's been great.
 

2024 PGCO Roadtrip
advanced-degree
veteran
army

I help safeguard one of humanity’s greatest scientific tools—the Hubble Space Telescope. My job requires precision, collaboration, and adaptability. I work alongside experts who’ve dedicated decades to Hubble’s mission, ensuring its continued success. We analyze potential issues, follow strict protocols, and problem-solve in real time. There's no room for error—our work protects a telescope that has reshaped our understanding of the universe.

Sr. Cyber IT Security Engineer

Experience

Challenges And Rewards Of Cybersecurity

Some people have become a president
 2
00:00:03.970 --> 00:00:08.541 just following the academic trajectory from faculty
 3
00:00:08.942 --> 00:00:11.911 Chair, Dean, Provost and President.
 4
00:00:11.911 --> 00:00:16.483 Some of us have taken different routes, from wanting to be a medical doctor
 5
00:00:16.783 --> 00:00:21.783 to going into managerial finance, then the strategic planning
 6
00:00:22.222 --> 00:00:25.392 then as student services and to becoming president.
 7
00:00:25.959 --> 00:00:28.495 But I will speak of my personal experience.
 8
00:00:28.495 --> 00:00:31.965 It has given me a full coverage
 9
00:00:32.232 --> 00:00:36.202 of higher ed administration. From working in finance,
 10
00:00:36.403 --> 00:00:41.074 academic student services and fundraising and then business.
 11
00:00:41.408 --> 00:00:44.411 So it makes my task much, much easier.
 12
00:00:44.544 --> 00:00:49.544 I understand the financial intricacy of managing the institution
 13
00:00:50.150 --> 00:00:54.020 as well as the student services and the fundraising aspect.
 14
00:00:54.020 --> 00:00:56.790 So again, I give God all the glory.
 

No two days are the same as a university president but every day is a chance to make an impact. I lead by example, working alongside my team to support students in their journey. From problem-solving to inspiring confidence, my role is about transformation. The most fulfilling part is handing students their diplomas, knowing we’ve helped change their lives for the better​.

President

Becoming a medical doctor is the only way to help people.

Skills

How My Experience Has Given Me The Skills To Lead A University

I believe that, like everyone is a mosaic of their experiences, lived experiences,
 2
00:00:04.904 --> 00:00:07.907 and you seem like you have a lot of experiences.
 3
00:00:09.042 --> 00:00:11.111 How have you utilized
 4
00:00:11.111 --> 00:00:13.980 all of that in your current role today?
 5
00:00:14.180 --> 00:00:16.683 I've been very fortunate throughout my life
 6
00:00:16.683 --> 00:00:20.854 to have been exposed to new and different places really early on.
 7
00:00:21.054 --> 00:00:24.691 The military was a really great ground for that
 8
00:00:24.691 --> 00:00:26.926 and I always pushed and wanted to find opportunities
 9
00:00:26.926 --> 00:00:29.896 to kind of be in nontraditional settings, even in the Coast Guard.
 10
00:00:29.896 --> 00:00:34.896 And all that to say that, I think it really quickly solidified for me that
 11
00:00:35.635 --> 00:00:39.372 everyone really wants the same basic things, right?
 12
00:00:39.639 --> 00:00:44.110 You know, and they want to, you know, live a safe and secure life.
 13
00:00:44.110 --> 00:00:46.112 They want their children to be better off than they were.
 14
00:00:46.112 --> 00:00:47.647 They want to be able to provide for themselves.
 15
00:00:47.647 --> 00:00:49.949 They want to have connection and relationship to others.
 16
00:00:49.949 --> 00:00:54.387 All of these things that I think as I come into this role at a company
 17
00:00:54.387 --> 00:00:58.558 that has been focused on accessible tech and trying to level the playing field
 18
00:00:58.558 --> 00:01:02.429 for folks who otherwise might not feel welcome or included.
 19
00:01:02.762 --> 00:01:05.832 I mean, I've got two colleagues who are fully blind and
 20
00:01:05.832 --> 00:01:09.235 they have to go into an airport and most times wait for somebody
 21
00:01:09.235 --> 00:01:11.371 from passenger assist to take them to the next gate.
 22
00:01:11.371 --> 00:01:14.541 And it's not infrequent that they're asked to sit in a wheelchair.
 23
00:01:14.541 --> 00:01:16.576 They are not limited in mobility.
 24
00:01:16.576 --> 00:01:17.811 They don't need a wheelchair.
 25
00:01:17.811 --> 00:01:19.646 They just need somebody to help guide them to the gate.
 26
00:01:19.646 --> 00:01:24.050 And that idea of like having independence and the dignity to be able to move on
 27
00:01:24.050 --> 00:01:29.050 your own is something that, again, is a universal want from almost everybody.
 28
00:01:30.023 --> 00:01:33.827 And so being able to be in a company that is really focused on enabling that
 29
00:01:33.827 --> 00:01:36.963 for the broadest range of individuals in the most basic way,
 30
00:01:36.963 --> 00:01:39.632 is something that I think is influenced by all these different experiences
 31
00:01:39.632 --> 00:01:41.501 that I've had, where I've connected with folks from different
 32
00:01:41.501 --> 00:01:46.106 backgrounds and spaces and realized that we've all kind of got a basic want.
 

2024 TSOC Roadtrip
veteran
coast-guard
advanced-degree

A technology degree and MBA would be more helpful in my current role, though I wouldn't say they're required if you have enough life experience.

I wake up around 5 a.m., start my day with coffee, and get a head start on emails and work while the house is still quiet. After a workout, I head to a coffee shop for my first meeting, usually with a potential customer or investor. The rest of my morning and afternoon consist of internal team meetings, strategy sessions, emails, customer demos or pitch meetings, community events, and meetings for the external Boards I'm involved with.

Why would you make that career change? You're on a pathway to make a lot of money and that's a huge pay cut.

Exploration

How Past Experiences Have Influenced My Career

I wanted to switch gears a little bit and talk to you,
 2
00:00:03.069 --> 00:00:04.938 like I've been thinking a lot about like leadership.
 3
00:00:04.938 --> 00:00:07.374 And I think as I've been navigating the,
 4
00:00:07.374 --> 00:00:09.809 I guess, like corporate world and like the working world,
 5
00:00:09.809 --> 00:00:12.645 I've been trying to like figure out what my leadership style is.
 6
00:00:12.645 --> 00:00:13.847 So I'm kind of curious for you,
 7
00:00:13.847 --> 00:00:16.850 like based on all your intersectional identities, like
 8
00:00:16.983 --> 00:00:20.153 how did you deal with navigating that and like finding your leadership style
 9
00:00:20.153 --> 00:00:21.054 and path?
 10
00:00:21.054 --> 00:00:25.592 In my journey, I managed a practice. That was my first real job. Management
 11
00:00:25.592 --> 00:00:28.161 job, right? And I felt so proud because
 12
00:00:29.362 --> 00:00:30.263 I went to graduate school.
 13
00:00:30.263 --> 00:00:34.701 So I wanted to be a manager, you know. I learned very quickly for me
 14
00:00:34.701 --> 00:00:39.606 that at that juncture in my life, I wasn't ready to be a leader.
 15
00:00:39.739 --> 00:00:43.576 And now I think about it, you know, my answer to, like, what's your management
 16
00:00:43.576 --> 00:00:48.576 style is, it's not so much about like me and how I like to operate and be a leader.
 17
00:00:49.115 --> 00:00:51.751 It's about understanding when you're out there
 18
00:00:51.751 --> 00:00:54.754 and you're managing, it's learning, what does your team need?
 19
00:00:54.954 --> 00:00:57.924 What does each individual in your team need?
 20
00:00:57.924 --> 00:01:00.994 What does the organization need you to be as a leader?
 21
00:01:00.994 --> 00:01:04.064 And sometimes those are all mutually inclusive
 22
00:01:04.064 --> 00:01:07.367 of each other, but they can also be mutually exclusive of each other.
 23
00:01:07.367 --> 00:01:12.005 But then I realized, my personality is I'm a, let's go with the flow.
 24
00:01:12.005 --> 00:01:14.140 Let's be curious, let's learn, let's do.
 25
00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:16.242 And there's some people that are like, no, no, no, no.
 26
00:01:16.242 --> 00:01:17.610 I need structure.
 27
00:01:17.610 --> 00:01:21.548 Like I need you to be able to give guidance and directions.
 28
00:01:21.548 --> 00:01:26.486 And so coming into leadership roles, I'm learning that it's not about what
 29
00:01:26.486 --> 00:01:30.356 maybe I do and what makes me feel comfortable as a leader. It's how
 30
00:01:30.356 --> 00:01:34.394 I can bring other people along in my leadership journey.
 31
00:01:34.394 --> 00:01:37.964 Because some people are like, leave me be, I will get my work done.
 32
00:01:38.031 --> 00:01:41.134 And some people are like, I need a micromanager, please help me.
 33
00:01:41.334 --> 00:01:43.837 And it's like, okay, but I can't be a micromanager to you.
 34
00:01:43.837 --> 00:01:46.339 But this is how we can meet in the middle.
 35
00:01:46.339 --> 00:01:50.543 So I've learned that my leadership style has to be fluid enough
 36
00:01:50.710 --> 00:01:54.914 on where I am in the organization and always, how can I bring people along
 37
00:01:54.981 --> 00:01:59.285 and make them see the value in their work and the value that they're adding?
 38
00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:02.255 That is the big thing for me. It sometimes is a struggle.
 39
00:02:02.255 --> 00:02:06.292 Because you tend to be comfortable in your own and how you operate, right?
 40
00:02:06.292 --> 00:02:09.762 Like little things that even me. If you're a leader or
 41
00:02:09.762 --> 00:02:14.100 you're an individual contributor learning how like, how do I be flexible enough
 42
00:02:14.100 --> 00:02:17.670 to make sure I'm being considerate or intentional about everybody else
 43
00:02:17.670 --> 00:02:21.674 around me even if I'm the leader and letting people feel like
 44
00:02:21.841 --> 00:02:25.011 they don't just have a boss, but they're part of a team that, you know,
 45
00:02:25.078 --> 00:02:28.081 whatever they're bringing is a value add.
 

For education, I'd recommend a graduate degree in health informatics and a PMP certification. However, you can really have a background in any related field and still be successful as long as you know how to hone and emphasize your transferrable skills.

My day is a blend of strategic planning, team coordination, and focused work, ensuring that the Information Services department is operating smoothly and efficiently.

Executive Director & Chief of Staff in Informatics and Information Services

Finding And Applying My Leadership Style

I first want to know like more so your upbringing
 2
00:00:03.136 --> 00:00:06.673 and like your experiences that led you up into your current position
 3
00:00:06.673 --> 00:00:07.841 that you are in? Sure. Yeah.
 4
00:00:07.841 --> 00:00:12.412 So I grew up in Massachusetts, so I'm a big Boston sports fan.
 5
00:00:12.412 --> 00:00:13.580 That's the first thing I lead with.
 6
00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:15.682 But Growing up I was always really interested
 7
00:00:15.682 --> 00:00:19.486 in technology, what the new gadgets were and new technologies coming out,
 8
00:00:19.486 --> 00:00:23.656 but always really passionate about public service and kind of public policy.
 9
00:00:23.656 --> 00:00:26.926 I remember I was that kid that was organizing voter registration
 10
00:00:26.926 --> 00:00:29.095 drives in high school and kind of getting people
 11
00:00:29.095 --> 00:00:32.298 who were turning 18 are about to turn 18 to register to vote
 12
00:00:32.298 --> 00:00:35.535 and be involved in community, that was always an interest.
 13
00:00:35.535 --> 00:00:39.873 And I think when I went to college, it was the era of people
 14
00:00:39.873 --> 00:00:42.909 really interested in technology, kind of these big tech companies, right.
 15
00:00:43.043 --> 00:00:47.180 And I think for a long time my upbringing, I felt that those two things
 16
00:00:47.680 --> 00:00:50.683 were always mutually exclusive, that one day I'd have to pick, Hey,
 17
00:00:50.917 --> 00:00:55.455 am I going to go down that tech route or am I going to go do public service work?
 18
00:00:55.555 --> 00:00:58.925 it wasn't until I kind of stumbled upon a class in college
 19
00:00:58.925 --> 00:01:01.928 that was called Tech and Innovation in government, and I'm like, Well, shoot,
 20
00:01:01.995 --> 00:01:05.732 those are the two things that I am really excited about.
 21
00:01:05.732 --> 00:01:08.701 And the first time I saw them kind of in one sentence, right?
 22
00:01:08.701 --> 00:01:12.705 And so I was on a project team with a couple of other students and
 23
00:01:13.106 --> 00:01:17.544 our goal over the course of that semester was to kind of work with the team
 24
00:01:17.544 --> 00:01:22.544 at the Boston Public Schools to help them rethink how they were engaging parents
 25
00:01:22.649 --> 00:01:23.416 and families.
 26
00:01:23.416 --> 00:01:25.118 it was kind of that first experience
 27
00:01:25.118 --> 00:01:28.855 that showed me, hey, these tech and design thinking approaches, right?
 28
00:01:28.888 --> 00:01:31.057 Whether it's user research, prototyping,
 29
00:01:31.057 --> 00:01:34.861 we were able to apply in a way that helped people in the community.
 30
00:01:34.861 --> 00:01:37.330 and we're able to prototype something that we thought
 31
00:01:37.330 --> 00:01:40.567 could help Boston Public Schools better engage their families.
 32
00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:43.169 And that was kind of the light bulb moment and like,
 33
00:01:43.169 --> 00:01:46.239 Hey, these are these two things that have always been interested in since
 34
00:01:46.339 --> 00:01:49.776 kind of my childhood coming together and saying this was really exciting.
 35
00:01:49.776 --> 00:01:51.277 So I think that was that moment.
 36
00:01:51.277 --> 00:01:55.215 And the more I talked to students in recent grads across the country,
 37
00:01:55.381 --> 00:01:57.617 I think I've found that that story resonates
 38
00:01:57.617 --> 00:01:59.853 and people have their own individual backgrounds too.
 39
00:01:59.853 --> 00:02:01.921 I'm like, Hey, I've had this career, had these interests,
 40
00:02:01.921 --> 00:02:06.893 but I actually want to take those skills and help make the world a better place.
 41
00:02:06.893 --> 00:02:10.763 And I think in technology, it's easy sometimes to see kind of
 42
00:02:10.797 --> 00:02:12.699 a new flashy startup, right?
 43
00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:15.835 But I think to me, I was always looking for something that could
 44
00:02:15.835 --> 00:02:19.105 kind of impact people's lives in a more meaningful way.
 45
00:02:19.105 --> 00:02:23.910 And I'm really glad I found this work in civic tech or public interest tech
 46
00:02:23.910 --> 00:02:28.910 and have been really lucky to be able to help other people break into the field.
 

There is no one path to take. We are more effective when our cohorts embody the breadth of life experiences of people across the country. Especially in technology, we know that there are so many non-traditional educational paths. At the U.S. Digital Corps, we all have varied backgrounds. We have almost 100 colleges and universities represented among our fellows and even more fields of study. We have career changers and former military, as well as many people who joined right out of school.

These days, I spend a lot of time in meetings. We now have a team of 10-15 program staff supporting over 120 Fellows, and there's a lot to discuss. On any given day, it may be Fellow learning and development (i.e. what kinds of trainings and topics we should facilitate), recruitment and selection of our next cohort, and helping Fellows and agencies troubleshoot individual issues. It definitely keeps me on my toes and requires a lot of context switching. 

Co-Founder & Deputy Director

Fulfillment

Passion

How I Got Into Public Interest Tech

What was your upbringing more like, and how do you got into, like,
 2
00:00:03.236 --> 00:00:04.637 public technology?
 3
00:00:04.637 --> 00:00:07.774 I'm blessed to have a set of parents
 4
00:00:07.874 --> 00:00:12.779 who saw an opportunity to give me access to digital and technology tools
 5
00:00:12.912 --> 00:00:16.483 and encouraged me to explore and wonder about
 6
00:00:16.516 --> 00:00:18.618 what are the things that I was passionate about
 7
00:00:18.618 --> 00:00:22.956 and then gave me those resources and helped me develop my curiosity
 8
00:00:23.089 --> 00:00:26.926 in a range of things. I remember going to Hamvention,
 9
00:00:26.993 --> 00:00:31.831 which is the second largest ham radio conference in Dayton, Ohio,
 10
00:00:31.898 --> 00:00:33.299 and just nerding out.
 11
00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:37.904 I then went on a journey that was very unconventional.
 12
00:00:37.971 --> 00:00:39.539 I dropped out of school twice.
 13
00:00:39.539 --> 00:00:42.542 Didn't really know how to learn, but didn't
 14
00:00:42.542 --> 00:00:45.779 want to let myself down, didn't want to let my family down.
 15
00:00:45.779 --> 00:00:47.647 And then once I realized that I was a member
 16
00:00:47.647 --> 00:00:50.650 of this much broader community, I didn't want to let my community down.
 17
00:00:50.717 --> 00:00:55.717 And so, the fusion of community on top of ability
 18
00:00:56.189 --> 00:00:59.159 enabled me to land inside of New York City
 19
00:00:59.159 --> 00:01:03.396 with a very large network of diverse individuals who were passionate
 20
00:01:03.396 --> 00:01:08.234 about life, passionate about creativity, passionate about politics, passionate
 21
00:01:08.234 --> 00:01:11.237 about putting all of these things together.
 22
00:01:11.337 --> 00:01:13.907 So that way we could fight for a better tomorrow.
 

2024 TSOC Roadtrip
did-not-complete-college
entrepreneur

Find a local technology outlet. If you can't find a local outlet or a national program to participate with, I'd suggest working with your city council (or any other entity that you have access to within city government) and start networking. It'll take a while before you see change in government but it's important to stay connected. Think about your skills and how you can help tech nonprofits. If they can't leverage your particular talents, focus on how you can address their immediate needs.

Every day, I lead Beta NYC in using technology, data, and design to improve lives across New York City. My work involves bringing together diverse voices—technologists, community advocates, and policymakers—to create a government that’s accessible and centered on equity and opportunity. Whether we’re developing digital tools, offering training, or fostering collaboration, my focus is on empowering communities and ensuring technology serves everyone in this era of rapid change​.

Executive Director

How I Got Into Public Interest Technology

How did you get into like this?
 2
00:00:01.868 --> 00:00:04.938 Like, I like education and children and like
 3
00:00:05.005 --> 00:00:06.940 because I think you did your undergrad and computer engineering, right?
 4
00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:09.142 Like, was that something you were interested in before?
 5
00:00:09.142 --> 00:00:11.544 And like, how did you kind of get to this spot?
 6
00:00:11.544 --> 00:00:12.979 Yeah, no, that's a great question.
 7
00:00:12.979 --> 00:00:17.550 I very much, you know, saw myself as an Engineer, engineer like,
 8
00:00:17.550 --> 00:00:18.718 I'm only here to build things.
 9
00:00:18.718 --> 00:00:21.121 but I'd always done the teaching stuff on the side.
 10
00:00:21.121 --> 00:00:24.190 So I was very much raised with like, you know, if you have a talent, then
 11
00:00:24.190 --> 00:00:25.892 bring it to your community, use it to help.
 12
00:00:25.892 --> 00:00:26.926 But I never realized
 13
00:00:26.926 --> 00:00:31.031 that I could actually be an engineer who teaches and be an engineer who studies
 14
00:00:31.031 --> 00:00:35.402 people and like that could be a part of what being an engineer meant too.
 15
00:00:35.502 --> 00:00:39.305 But what really started it off for me was some of those first conversations
 16
00:00:39.305 --> 00:00:42.409 with young kids where they were saying, I know all about this technology,
 17
00:00:42.409 --> 00:00:43.276 I can talk to it.
 18
00:00:43.276 --> 00:00:46.446 And I'm like, The first time I searched the internet, I knew how to read
 19
00:00:46.446 --> 00:00:49.616 right type like log on to an Internet browser and your 4.
 20
00:00:49.616 --> 00:00:51.618 So it was very different.
 21
00:00:51.618 --> 00:00:54.988 And I was just wildly fascinated by how different
 22
00:00:54.988 --> 00:00:58.591 that relationship must be when you just grow up with technology.
 23
00:00:58.591 --> 00:01:01.294 Literally at your voice command.
 24
00:01:01.294 --> 00:01:04.264 And what I realized very quickly when I would go into classrooms
 25
00:01:04.264 --> 00:01:06.366 is that the teachers were like, We're so happy you're here
 26
00:01:06.366 --> 00:01:07.901 because we don't know anything about this.
 27
00:01:07.901 --> 00:01:09.002 And you know that just,
 28
00:01:09.002 --> 00:01:12.772 like I would go home and my family would say, it's so great that you do that A.I.
 29
00:01:12.772 --> 00:01:14.541 stuff, whatever that is.
 30
00:01:14.541 --> 00:01:19.079 So the knowledge is not evenly distributed, and that causes a huge issue
 31
00:01:19.646 --> 00:01:22.682 because humans tend to do this thing where if a computer says it's true,
 32
00:01:22.916 --> 00:01:26.019 they're like, yeah, of course, like they over rely on whatever it says.
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00:01:26.152 --> 00:01:27.954 So you know, those are the two strands.
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00:01:27.954 --> 00:01:29.089 One, education.
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00:01:29.089 --> 00:01:33.993 How do we actually help everyone understand what is going on here and two
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00:01:34.194 --> 00:01:37.163 how can we get a better grasp of just how we're built as people
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00:01:37.163 --> 00:01:40.333 and how that might be influencing the ways that we react to technology?
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00:01:40.333 --> 00:01:42.235 Like things can be addictive to us.
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00:01:42.235 --> 00:01:44.437 Things can seem true even when they're not true.
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00:01:44.437 --> 00:01:47.440 And that's all just like human social nature, right?
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00:01:47.507 --> 00:01:52.507 It has to be a humanities question And honestly, I'm like, as I think back
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00:01:52.612 --> 00:01:55.882 like would high school me ever believe that this is my life right now?
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00:01:55.882 --> 00:01:56.683 Probably not.
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00:01:56.683 --> 00:01:58.551 But she wouldn't be disappointed either.
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00:01:58.551 --> 00:02:01.054 She'd be like, okay, you found something really weird and cool.
 

We use art and research to raise awareness about AI and help influence changemakers to build a better future. My work is focused in three pillars: amplifying the message and making information about AI more accessible, connecting with people who've experienced AI harms, and testifying these stories to policy makers and decision makers. A lot of my work is about communicating and translating technology. However, I do still spend my free time engineering and building as a creative outlet.

AI Researcher

How I Got Into Education And Technology

My experience in admissions was so inspiring to me
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00:00:03.169 --> 00:00:06.306 and I wanted to... Like ultimately what I wanted to do
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00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:09.709 was to make sure that students like me weren't guided wrong.
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00:00:09.709 --> 00:00:14.547 And so for me, I was more concerned about trying to help other students
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00:00:14.547 --> 00:00:15.348 that were like me.
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00:00:15.348 --> 00:00:18.385 And so that's why I did college admissions, because I wanted
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00:00:18.385 --> 00:00:21.654 I would go to all the schools, all the title one schools,
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00:00:21.654 --> 00:00:25.725 where I had never seen a college counselor come out and give us the pamphlets.
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00:00:25.725 --> 00:00:27.093 I had never seen that.
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00:00:27.093 --> 00:00:30.130 So I went to all the schools and I would talk to students.
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00:00:30.130 --> 00:00:33.133 But ultimately, I felt when I was doing that work
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00:00:33.299 --> 00:00:36.936 that I can only help the students that came to see me at my table
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00:00:37.170 --> 00:00:40.106 or came during my event at their school.
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00:00:40.106 --> 00:00:44.411 And so I got into policy because I wanted to try and change the system at scale.
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00:00:44.778 --> 00:00:48.081 And so I think that for me, it was about trying to help students
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00:00:48.081 --> 00:00:51.951 that came from experiences and backgrounds like me
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00:00:51.951 --> 00:00:56.951 that maybe felt like they weren't given the right advice or the right opportunity.
 

2024 VOHE Roadtrip
first-in-family
advanced-degree

I don't think that a Ph.D. is necessary to do the work that I am currently engaged in. It provides a perspective but there are lots of people who work in policy who are making an impact with a bachelor's or master's degree in public policy. There are many ways to enter the policy space—having strong data skills and an analytic mind is a bonus.

I didn't really know anything about college. I had to navigate it all on my own. I struggled quite a bit and considered dropping out, but I fortunately connected with a dean who introduced me to work-study and influenced me to persevere.

My days revolve around creating better opportunities for students. I start with research, analyzing data to identify gaps in access and equity across education. From there, I collaborate with coalitions of students, parents, and advocates to push for policies that close these gaps. My days are primarily filled with meetings. It’s fulfilling work, knowing every policy change brings us closer to ensuring every student gets the support they deserve.

Senior Vice President

You don't need SAT prep. You won't be going to college.

Experience

Challenges And Rewards Of Cybersecurity

Challenges And Rewards Of Cybersecurity

Cliff Timpson

813 videos on Experience: