Vy Nguyen

Year in School
Senior

Major

Research Interests

Research Mentor

Research/Engagement Experience

Interests

Project Title

How did I get interested in Computer Science?
I wasn’t sure what computer science was until my senior year of high school, when I stumbled upon an amazing community of women in CS at UIUC’s ChicTech. Seeing how motivated they were to pursue their education beyond the classroom inspired me to do the same. I was fascinated by how something as intangible as code could create real change, improving lives, solving problems, and shaping the world in powerful ways. I fell in love with the potential of what computer science could do, and since then, I’ve strived to make the field more accessible so others can have the same opportunities. This passion ultimately led me to pursue computer science at UIUC.

What social interests matter to me?

Why did you choose Illinois?
I chose Illinois because of the amazing community of people and abundance of opportunities to explore, learn, and grow.

What are your passions outside of computing?
Beyond computing, I’m passionate about broadening access to education and building products that truly represent the people who use them. Music is also a big part of my life, I love how it brings people together and creates community.

What has been one of your favorite experiences at Illinois that you would like to share with prospective students? (For Continuing UIUC Students)
One of my favorite experiences at Illinois has been meeting my best friends through RSOs on campus. They’ve made my college experience so memorable and fun, and spending time with them has been such a highlight of my time here.

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!
I love spending time with my friends and family, baking, long walks, pilates, dance, and trying new restaurants.

Research Description

Biography
Vy Nguyen is a senior studying Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she was born and raised. She is passionate about using technology to create meaningful social impact, with a focus on expanding access to STEM and improving education through innovation. On campus, she is involved with Enactus, Vietnamese Student Association, Engineering Ambassadors, and Hack4Impact.