Presenting tomorrow’s leaders: The class of 2022
Read from some of the many talented, motivated and innovative students who are graduating and starting on their next adventures. As they become Forever Buffs, they leave their inspirational legacies—with advice and reflection—for those who follow.
The biggest thing I have learned is that learning never ends! My educational experience will not stop when I leave campus, and I want to keep the same sense of curiosity for the world. There are always new ideas, perspectives and lessons to learn, and I will always be searching those out. As my favorite quote form Bill Nye goes, "Everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don't." I want to maintain this in my classroom and life in general.”
–Alexis Harris (Edu’22)
The graduate school experience equipped me with an interdisciplinary skillset and mindset to tackle infectious disease problems using both computational and molecular biology techniques...I acquired not only the scientific knowledge, but also the curiosity, resiliency and ethics that will forever help shape me into a better scientist. Moving forward, I will carry these valuable skills and qualities into my day-to-day research to help the world be better prepared for the next infectious disease outbreak.”
–Qing Yang (PhDMCDBio’22)
The ATLAS Institute has left me with a magnificent sense of wonder and excitement. In the last few years I’ve seen incredibly innovative projects, met many inspiring people and produced a variety of work that I will be proud of forever. Knowing this just scratched the surface of what lies ahead, leaves me full of energy to continue on my journey. Here’s to the beginning of a life of infinite growth and creation.”
–EO Rafelson (CTD’22)
I'll remember my master’s and PhD at CU as an intellectually adventurous chapter, tackling the hard questions on how to solve global poverty and water scarcity. And I hope I never lose sight of the larger systems at work and represent the Mortenson Center well as a global engineer!”
–Anna Libey (PhDEnvEngr’22)
ATLAS students develop a wide breadth of skills...and I will carry this versatility and adaptability into my next chapter, as well as the collaboration and connectedness within the ATLAS community. At ATLAS, peers feel like friends and professors like mentors. As I move into my next chapter, I know this community will be there for me.”
–Mallory Benna (CTD’22)
From my time at CU, I've had the privilege of working with people who are both really enjoyable to be around and who are able to push me to do my best. I've come to really value these relationships and have recognized how important they are to an enjoyable work experience. Both the relationships themselves and the knowledge of their importance are things I will carry with me after CU.”
–Erik Funk (PhDEBio’22)
My time at CU has been filled with amazing experiences and people along the way. I’ve worked in a variety of roles in CMCI, and I will not forget the impact the people have had on me while in those roles. I will carry the experience of leadership, friendship and the amazing community of CMCI with me into my next chapter.”
–Max Gannett (InfoSci’22)
The number of people in the CU community who helped get me to graduation day is huge! There were people who helped me with math, shared teaching wisdom, taught me how to be organized, ushered my paperwork through, checked in on me, kept my spirits up and made the journey fun. Grad school was wild and amazing because of fantastic colleagues, supervisors and administrators. So going forward, I'll remember to be as generous with my time and energy as the people I've met at CU.”
–Cherry Ng (PhDMath’22)
CU Boulder prepared me to be a literacy leader. With equity, justice and diversity at the forefront of its program, I feel inspired to make a change within my community. I now see through a critical lens and feel empowered to challenge inequities that exist within education. This program has fostered my love for literacy and the need to be an advocate for each and every student through their literacy journey.”
–Deidre Bergquist (MEdu’22)
In addition to all of the traditional knowledge I have gained while at CU, I have also learned an immense amount about myself while obtaining my degree. I will forever carry on what I realized about my passions, motivations, areas of improvement and personal limits during my academic career through the following chapters of my life.”
–Mitchell Alton (PhDChem’22)
Education is not a trending major when students study aboard. However, there is no doubt about the huge impact of education on a country. I was a pioneer in computer science education in Vietnam. Now, I have more knowledge of the education research-based. It will strengthen my work, and I can bring more impact to STEM education in Vietnam, as well as in STEM global fields.”
–Nga Hoang (MEdu’22)
Don't let your grades be your be-all and end-all and, just in general, don't be too hard on yourself. Find a research project you're passionate about, and don't forget about life outside of school. Make genuine connections with professors, grad students and peers, these will benefit you way more in the long run!”
–Clark Zimmerman (Phys’22)