When I left Kathmandu, Nepal, and moved to the United States, I carried more than my belongings. I carried the hopes of building a future that once felt uncertain. Starting over in a new country meant learning how to navigate unfamiliar systems, adapt to a different culture, and find opportunities without an established roadmap. While the transition was challenging, it also taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: resilience is built by embracing change and continuing forward, even when the path is unfamiliar. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, pursuing higher education required determination beyond the classroom. I had to learn how to navigate college applications, financial responsibilities, and career decisions while building my support system from the ground up. Paying for college became one of my greatest challenges, and financial aid played an essential role in allowing me to continue my education. That support was not just financial assistance; it was an opportunity that allowed me to invest in myself and pursue goals that could create a greater impact. I carried that opportunity with purpose throughout my undergraduate journey at Western Michigan University, where I pursued a double major in Computer Information Systems and Leadership & Business Strategy. Through my academic and professional experiences, I discovered my passion for using technology to solve problems and create meaningful change. Working on technology initiatives at the University of Michigan, leading research projects, and collaborating with diverse teams showed me that technology is most powerful when it is designed around people’s needs. My immigrant experience shaped the type of technology leader I aspire to become. I understand that access to information, resources, and technology can influence whether individuals and communities are able to reach their potential. My goal is to build a career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and people by helping organizations adopt emerging technologies responsibly and inclusively. I hope to lead digital transformation initiatives that use artificial intelligence, data, and knowledge management to improve decision-making and expand access to opportunities. I will continue working toward this goal at Columbia University, where I will pursue a Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy. Through this program, I hope to strengthen my ability to lead complex technology initiatives and develop solutions that create meaningful impact across organizations and communities. Beyond my career, I want to use my experiences as an immigrant to support others who are navigating unfamiliar paths. I hope to mentor first-generation students and individuals from immigrant backgrounds, helping them recognize that their experiences and perspectives are valuable strengths. The support I received throughout my journey showed me the power of opportunity, and I want to help create those opportunities for others. My journey from Nepal to the United States has shaped my ambitions, my resilience, and my purpose. I do not want my success to be measured only by what I achieve, but by the opportunities I create for others. Through education, technology, and leadership, I hope to transform the challenges I overcame into pathways that help others pursue their own dreams.

When I think about what I want to build, I do not think about creating a single product or invention. I think about building bridges. I want to build a future where technology connects people to opportunities, where knowledge is more accessible, and where innovation is designed with diverse communities in mind. My journey from Nepal to the United States shaped this vision. As a first-generation college student, I learned that access to information, resources, and support can significantly influence a person's ability to succeed. Technology has the power to close these gaps, but only when it is thoughtfully designed and implemented. This understanding inspired me to pursue a career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and people. During my undergraduate studies in Computer Information Systems and Leadership & Business Strategy, I discovered that my greatest interest was not only understanding technology but helping people and organizations use it effectively. Through my experiences managing technology initiatives at the University of Michigan, leading research projects, and collaborating with diverse teams, I learned that meaningful innovation requires more than technical skills. It requires empathy, communication, and leaders who understand the human impact behind every technological decision. As I continue my education through Columbia University's Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy program, I hope to build the skills necessary to become a technology leader who helps organizations navigate digital transformation responsibly. I want to contribute to the development and adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence and data-driven systems in ways that improve decision-making, increase accessibility, and create positive outcomes for diverse communities. Beyond my professional goals, I want to build a community of support for others who may not see themselves represented in STEM. As a woman of color and someone who has navigated new educational and professional environments, I understand the importance of encouragement and mentorship. I hope to support future generations of students, especially women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, by sharing my experiences and helping them recognize their potential. The future I hope to build is one where technology does not simply advance organizations, but empowers people. By combining my education, experiences, and passion for inclusive innovation, I hope to create lasting impact in my community and beyond. Ultimately, I want my work to serve as a reminder that the most meaningful things we build are not only systems or technologies, but opportunities for others to succeed.

When I moved from Nepal to the United States, I began to see technology differently. I realized that technology was not simply about computers or software; it was about access. Access to information, education, professional networks, and opportunities that could transform a person's future. As I adapted to a new country and pursued higher education as a first-generation college student, I witnessed how technology could either create pathways forward or deepen existing barriers. That realization sparked my curiosity and inspired me to pursue a career in STEM. I chose to study Computer Information Systems and Leadership & Business Strategy because I wanted to understand both how technology is created and how it can be used to solve meaningful human problems. Throughout my undergraduate journey, I discovered that my passion was not only in learning about technology, but in understanding how people and organizations can use it effectively. My experiences leading business research initiatives, collaborating with diverse teams, and managing technology projects at the University of Michigan showed me that successful innovation requires more than technical knowledge. It requires leaders who can connect technology with people, strategy, and real-world impact. This passion has led me to pursue a Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy at Columbia University. Columbia’s interdisciplinary approach reflects the type of STEM leader I aspire to become. As artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation continue to reshape industries, the world needs leaders who can ensure these advancements are implemented responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. Through my studies in AI, knowledge management, organizational strategy, and human-centered design, I hope to develop the skills needed to lead technology transformations that improve how organizations make decisions and serve their communities. As a woman of color from Nepal, I understand the importance of representation in STEM. Entering technology spaces where women and individuals from diverse backgrounds are often underrepresented has shown me that inclusion is not just about having a seat at the table. It is about having a voice in shaping the technologies that influence our world. Diverse perspectives are essential because technology impacts people from every background, and the solutions we create should reflect the needs of the communities they serve. My goal is to contribute to STEM by becoming a technology leader who advocates for ethical innovation and inclusive digital transformation. I hope to help organizations adopt emerging technologies in ways that reduce bias, expand access, and create meaningful opportunities. Beyond my professional career, I want to mentor women and students from underrepresented backgrounds, encouraging them to pursue STEM education and recognize that their perspectives are valuable contributions to the field. I believe the future of STEM depends on empowering more women to become creators, decision-makers, and leaders. Receiving this scholarship would support my journey toward becoming one of those leaders while allowing me to contribute to a community of women who are driven by curiosity, knowledge, and innovation. My goal is not only to advance in STEM, but to help shape a future where technology is more inclusive, accessible, and designed by people who understand the diverse world it serves. By investing in my education, this scholarship would be investing in a future STEM leader committed to expanding opportunities for others. I hope to use my experiences, education, and voice to inspire more women to see themselves as innovators and leaders who can transform the future of technology.

Pursuing higher education has been one of the most rewarding and financially challenging journeys of my life. As an immigrant from Nepal and a first-generation college student in the United States, I quickly realized that earning a degree required more than determination. It required finding a way to afford opportunities that often seemed out of reach. Paying for college became my greatest obstacle, but financial aid allowed me to keep moving forward. Rather than viewing it as a handout, I saw it as an investment in my potential. That support motivated me to make the most of every opportunity by earning a double major in Computer Information Systems and Leadership & Business Strategy, gaining hands-on experience leading technology initiatives, and preparing for graduate school at Columbia University. These experiences taught me that perseverance is not about overcoming challenges alone. It is about using the support you receive to create opportunities for others. My goal is to become a technology leader who helps organizations use artificial intelligence, data, and digital transformation to solve complex problems while ensuring technology remains ethical, inclusive, and accessible. I am already working toward that goal through leadership roles, project management experience, and pursuing a Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy at Columbia University. Beyond my career, I hope to mentor first-generation students, encourage more women and underrepresented minorities to pursue STEM, and advocate for greater access to technology and digital resources in underserved communities. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial burden of graduate school and allow me to continue building a career dedicated to expanding access to technology and opportunity. Just as financial aid helped me pursue my dreams, I hope to use my education to empower others to achieve theirs and create lasting impact in my community and beyond.

Moving from Nepal to the United States completely changed my understanding of what technology could make possible. I realized that access to technology was about much more than having the latest devices. It meant access to information, education, and opportunities that could shape a future. As I navigated a new country and became a first-generation college student, I saw firsthand how technology could either remove barriers or reinforce them. That realization inspired me to pursue a degree in STEM, not because I was fascinated by technology alone, but because I wanted to use it to create opportunities for others. As a first-generation college student, I chose to study Computer Information Systems alongside Leadership and Business Strategy because I wanted to understand both sides of technology: how innovative systems are built and how they can be strategically implemented to solve real-world problems. Throughout college, I discovered my passion was never simply writing code or managing technology. It was helping people embrace technology to improve the way they work, communicate, and make decisions. Whether leading business analysts on a growth strategy project, conducting research, or managing technology initiatives at the University of Michigan, I found myself drawn to bridging the gap between technical solutions and human needs. That passion led me to continue my education through Columbia University's Master of Science in Information & Knowledge Strategy. Columbia's interdisciplinary approach is exactly what I was looking for. As artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital transformation reshape every industry, organizations need leaders who understand not only emerging technologies but also how to implement them responsibly, and with people at the center. By combining AI, knowledge management, organizational strategy, and human-centered leadership, the program will prepare me to lead impactful technology initiatives. As a woman of color from Nepal, I know what it feels like to enter rooms where few people share my background or perspective. Rather than seeing that as a barrier, I see it as a responsibility. My experiences have taught me that the strongest technology is built when diverse voices help shape it. Too often, technologies are developed without fully considering the needs of different communities, resulting in biased systems, unequal access, and missed opportunities for innovation. I want to help change that. My goal is to lead large-scale technology and AI initiatives that improve how organizations share knowledge, make decisions, and serve the people who depend on them. I want to champion ethical technology adoption by ensuring diverse perspectives are represented throughout digital transformation. I hope to build environments where success is measured not only by efficiency and innovation, but also by accessibility, fairness, and positive impact on people's lives. I want to use my journey to expand opportunities for others like me. Growing up, I rarely saw women from Nepal leading global technology initiatives. I hope to become the representation I once searched for by mentoring first-generation students, encouraging more women and underrepresented minorities to pursue STEM, and demonstrating that they belong in the rooms where critical technological decisions are made. Creating lasting impact means opening doors for others to walk through after me. Receiving this scholarship would be an investment in more than my education. It would be an investment in a future leader committed to making technology more inclusive, and human-centered. My journey has taken me from Nepal to Columbia University, but my purpose has remained the same: to use STEM to create opportunities for others. I believe the greatest innovations are not the ones that simply advance technology. They are the ones that empower people. That is the legacy I hope to leave in STEM.