Dinakara Rao Memorial Scholarship

Funded by

Dinesh Puppala

Eligibility Requirements

Education Level:

Four-year undergraduate student

Race:

BIPOC

Background:

First-generation college student

Education Level:

Race:

Background:

Four-year undergraduate student

BIPOC

First-generation college student

Our dad, Dinakara Rao, was a resilient father, mentor, and leader who embodied the spirit of self-determination. In his youth, he took the courageous and difficult step of running away from home specifically to pursue the education that he knew was the key to his future.

Despite the immense challenges and personal sacrifices he faced as he navigated the world on his own, Dinakara never wavered in his pursuit of knowledge. Through sheer grit and tireless hard work, he excelled in his studies and earned a degree in engineering. His professional journey was marked by steady upward mobility, eventually retiring as the Vice President of a private company. Beyond his professional success, Dinakara was defined by his radical generosity and his devotion to supporting his family and uplifting his community. He understood that success is not just about personal achievement, but about reaching back to help others climb.

This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of our dad Dinakara Rao by supporting students who share his relentless drive to succeed in a complex world that often favors those with established privilege.

Any BIPOC four-year undergraduate student may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they are a first-generation college student who is determined to create a better future for themselves and their community despite systemic obstacles.

To apply, tell us about your journey as a first-generation student and what has motivated you to pursue your desired career path.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Drive, Impact

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Published March 6, 2026

Essay Topic

Explain your story as a first-generation student and your motivation for pursuing your chosen career path.

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

July 2026

Winners

Rena Shrestha

University of California-Berkeley

El Cerrito, CA

Finalists

Fernando Corona

University of California-Los Angeles

San Ysidro, CA

Christina-lyne Asanga

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Albertville, MN

Winning Application

Rena Shrestha

University of California-BerkeleyEl Cerrito, CA

When I was eight years old, my dad asked me, in Newari, to help him convert a tax document into a PDF. Like any curious child, I searched online and figured it out. The pride on my father's face stayed with me. While I relied on my parents for most things, when it came to technology, they relied on me. That moment was the first time I realized that technology could empower people by helping them access information and solve problems independently. As a first generation student, I often found myself helping my family navigate digital tools and online resources. Whether it was filling out forms, troubleshooting devices, or translating technical instructions, I saw firsthand how technology could bridge knowledge gaps and create opportunities. These experiences sparked my curiosity about how technology works and motivated me to learn more. Later, watching my cousin install software on his computer and taking my first computer science course transformed that curiosity into a passion for coding, data science, and problem-solving. As a woman of color pursuing STEM, I have also experienced the stereotypes that can discourage students from entering technical fields. Growing up, I often heard comments like, “Tech is for boys,” or “Coding sounds boring.” Rather than accepting those messages, I became determined to challenge them. I wanted other students especially girls and students from underrepresented backgrounds to see that they belonged in technology and could succeed in it. This motivation led me to found my high school's coding club. I promoted the club through social media, classroom announcements, and school events, eventually growing membership to 27 students, including 17 girls. Through the club, I created a welcoming environment where students could explore coding regardless of their prior experience. I also taught coding through online summer camps hosted by Schoolhouse and AiGo Learning, reaching more than 100 students across 17 countries. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching was watching students who had never coded before gain confidence in their abilities. Seeing young girls ask questions, build projects, and become excited about technology reinforced my belief that representation and encouragement can have a lasting impact. Today, I continue this work at the University of California, Berkeley. As the Director of Industry of CS Kickstart, a one-week computer science exploration program for incoming women and nonbinary students, I create an inclusive and supportive introduction to computer science by planning out Industry events to connect students with companies through professional development opportunities, networking events, and collaborations for 80+ female identifying freshmen at UC Berkeley. I am also involved with Computer Science Mentors, where I provide free academic support and tutoring to students and underrepresented minorities in computer science and data science courses. Through these organizations, I have seen how mentorship can increase confidence, strengthen communities, and help students persist in challenging technical fields. By pursuing a degree in Data Science, I hope to develop technologies that expand access to education, information, and opportunity. I am particularly interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning and their potential to solve complex societal problems. At the same time, I want to ensure that these technologies are designed with diverse perspectives in mind. My goal is not only to build innovative AI systems but also to mentor future generations of students from underrepresented communities and help create a STEM workforce that better reflects the diversity of the world it serves. Through both technological innovation and community engagement, I hope to make STEM more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for everyone!