Trang Nguyen

Year in School
Freshman

Major

Research Interests

Research Mentor

Research/Engagement Experience

Interests

Project Title

How did I get interested in Computer Science?
In third grade, I dragged a sprite across an empty Scratch screen to make a “car” move, and it barely moved, but it sparked something in me. Fast forward to high school, I joined the robotics club, and being around others who actually built stuff turned curiosity into purpose. I got to apply coding in real projects. I wrote simple programs and collaborated on robot design, and those hands-on experiences made me care about creating solutions, not just screen output.

What social interests matter to me?

Why did you choose Illinois?
I chose Illinois because the CS program’s focus on collaboration stood out. As former president of my school’s robotics club, I’ve seen how much more you can achieve when people share skills and work toward something meaningful. I’m excited about opportunities like CS STARS and student organizations that have a genuine impact using computing. It’s Illinois’ mix of world class resources and a friendly, supportive community made it feel less like just a big school, and more like somewhere I could actually belong and contribute from day one.

What are your passions outside of computing?
I love experimenting with creative mediums: photography, pottery, crochet, digital and traditional art. I also enjoy spending time with animals (I’ve kept anything from fish, a praying mantis to a hamster), cooking and baking, and biking around to discover hidden spots.

What has been one of your favorite experiences at Illinois that you would like to share with prospective students? (For Continuing UIUC Students)

What has been one of your favorite experiences as a CS STAR? (For Returning CS STARS)

What is my most impactful college experience?

These are a few of my favorite things!
My bedroom window, iced soy milk, quiet mornings, music, West Lake sunsets

Research Description

Biography
Hi! I’m Trang Nguyen, a freshman studying Computer Science at UIUC. I’m thrilled to start my academic year soon. I love connecting with people from different backgrounds and finding new ways to see the world. I spend my mornings riding my bike around West Lake, and spend my nights learning C++. When I’m not constantly doing something, I draw, crochet, make collages and art.