I come from a background shaped by adaptability, resilience, and a strong desire to use education as a tool for impact. I am originally from Kumasi, Ghana, and pursuing my studies in the United States has required me to navigate new academic systems, cultures, and expectations. Adjusting to these transitions has strengthened my problem solving skills and pushed me to become resourceful and self directed. These experiences have also influenced my interest in technology, particularly as a means to create access, improve systems, and empower communities that are often underrepresented in the tech space. What draws me most to the technology field is its ability to translate ideas into scalable, real world solutions. I am especially interested in computer science areas such as programming, software development, backend systems, and data driven problem solving. I enjoy the logical structure of computing and the challenge of breaking complex problems into manageable steps through code. Beyond the technical aspect, I am fascinated by how technology intersects with fields like healthcare, education, and social impact, and how well designed systems can improve efficiency, equity, and access. I have actively pursued involvement in information technology through coursework, projects, and extracurricular programs. As a computer science student at the University of Maine, I have taken foundational programming and computing courses that emphasize algorithmic thinking, debugging, and writing clean, functional code. Through class projects, I have worked on coding assignments that strengthened my understanding of core programming concepts and reinforced best practices in software development. Outside of the classroom, I have been involved with CodePath, where I participated in structured, industry aligned technical training focused on practical coding skills and professional development. Through CodePath, I strengthened my understanding of programming concepts, collaborated with peers on technical challenges, and gained exposure to real world expectations within the tech industry. The program helped bridge the gap between academic learning and applied software development. I am also an active member of ColorStack, a national community that supports Black and Latinx students in computer science. Through ColorStack, I have engaged in workshops, networking opportunities, and mentorship focused on career readiness, technical growth, and navigating the tech industry as a student of color. Being part of this community has reinforced my sense of belonging in tech and strengthened my commitment to increasing representation and inclusion in the field. Together, my academic background, hands on projects, and involvement with CodePath and ColorStack have shaped my growing interest in building technology that is both technically sound and socially conscious. These experiences continue to guide my goal of becoming a computer scientist who not only codes effectively, but also contributes to a more inclusive and impactful technology ecosystem.

My computer science goals are rooted in using technology as a tool for impact rather than an end in itself. I am pursuing computer science because I want to become a strong problem solver who can design, build, and maintain systems that address real world challenges. My immediate goal is to develop solid foundations in programming, data structures, algorithms, and software development while gaining hands on experience through projects and internships. I am particularly interested in backend development, data driven systems, and applied computing that supports research, decision making, and access to resources. Computer science gives me the ability to think logically, scale solutions, and translate ideas into tools that can reach far beyond a single individual. Outside of computer science, my primary non technical goals are centered on global health, education, and community impact, especially within underserved and historically marginalized communities. Coming from Ghana and navigating education across different systems has shaped my desire to improve access to information, healthcare, and opportunity. I am deeply interested in public health research, social impact initiatives, and leadership roles that focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. I want to contribute to work that addresses inequities rather than simply observing them. In the long term, I envision myself involved in initiatives that strengthen systems in low resource settings, whether through research, nonprofit work, or policy informed by data. What excites me most is the intersection of these two paths. I do not see computer science and global impact as separate ambitions. Instead, I see computer science as the bridge that makes my non computer science goals achievable at scale. Through my studies, I have already seen how coding can support data analysis, improve efficiency, and uncover insights that would otherwise remain hidden. In the future, I plan to combine these goals by building and supporting technological tools that improve data collection, analysis, and accessibility in health and education systems. This could include developing software for tracking public health outcomes, creating platforms that support research in underserved communities, or building systems that make critical information more accessible to people who are often excluded from technological innovation. As someone who identifies as BIPOC and has navigated significant academic, personal, and financial challenges, I also bring a perspective that is often missing in technology spaces. I understand firsthand how systems fail people when they are not designed inclusively. My lived experiences motivate me to advocate for technology that is ethical, human centered, and responsive to diverse realities. This scholarship aligns deeply with my goals because it supports students who refuse to be one dimensional. With the support of the Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship, I would be able to continue developing my technical skills while pursuing broader ambitions rooted in service, equity, and meaningful impact. I aim to be a computer scientist who codes with purpose and who uses technology not just to build products, but to enrich lives.

This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me because it represents hope, restoration, and confirmation that my journey has not been in vain. It is more than financial assistance. It is an investment in a story shaped by perseverance, faith, and an unwavering belief that God can bring purpose out of pain. There were moments when my educational path, my future in this country, and even my sense of self felt uncertain. Yet through it all, I held on to faith as both an anchor and a compass. Receiving this opportunity would allow me to focus fully on my calling and academic growth without the constant fear of losing ground due to circumstances beyond my control. My journey has been marked by challenges that tested me in ways I never anticipated. I faced academic setbacks that resulted in probation during a period when I was struggling alone with health issues, emotional exhaustion, and external pressures. In another chapter of my life, I was suspended from a previous institution for an accusation that was later disproven by law enforcement. That experience shook me deeply. I felt powerless, misunderstood, and afraid that years of hard work would be erased by something I did not do. During that season, faith became my refuge. When answers were scarce and doors seemed to close, prayer became my language of survival. I learned to trust God even when outcomes were unclear, believing that truth, though delayed, would prevail. Despite these hardships, faith helped transform my struggles into stepping stones. I was able to rebuild academically, reconnect with mentors, and pursue opportunities aligned with my purpose. I continued showing up even when I felt discouraged, trusting that consistency and faith would bear fruit. Over time, I earned leadership and academic opportunities, presented my work in professional settings, and rediscovered confidence in my abilities. Each triumph reaffirmed that perseverance guided by faith can lead to renewal. I now understand that setbacks do not define failure, but rather refine character and direction. Looking toward the future, I plan to continue using my faith as a guiding force in reaching greater heights. Faith grounds me in humility, resilience, and service, reminding me that success is not solely personal, but communal. I aspire to use my education to create meaningful impact, particularly in underserved communities, and to serve as a testament that adversity does not disqualify purpose. When challenges arise, as they inevitably will, my faith will continue to guide my decisions, strengthen my resolve, and shape my leadership. With God at the center of my journey, I am confident that every opportunity, including this one, will be used not only to elevate my own life, but to uplift others as well.

Back home in Kumasi, Ghana, I saw what it means to dream with limits. My cousins and I would sit around, curious about the world, but with no laptop, no access, and no exposure. I remember drawing diagrams on a chalkboard just to explain what a computer could do. That was the moment I promised myself that if I ever had the chance to learn, I would not keep it to myself. I would use it to create pathways for others. Now I am studying computer science, focusing on building solutions and exploring entrepreneurship. My education is not just for me. It is a tool I want to take back home. I know the value of what I am receiving, and I see how it can transform communities in Ghana where opportunities are scarce. I want to use technology to close those gaps. Whether it is developing affordable platforms that give students access to digital skills, or building projects that spark curiosity, my goal is simple. I want to give others the opportunity I once longed for. Beyond technology, I believe in people. Mentorship has been at the core of my journey. As a peer mentor with YAF Ghana, I guided students through the challenges of scholarship applications, personal essays, and college searches. I watched fellows who doubted themselves grow confident enough to apply for opportunities they never imagined they could achieve. Those experiences taught me that sometimes the most important gift you can give someone is belief. That same spirit has shaped my own story, and it is why I continue to mentor youth whenever I can. I have also worked on projects that allowed me to put my learning into practice. Through CodePath’s web development and technical interview programs, I learned how to create responsive websites, build software solutions, and strengthen problem solving skills. At UNC I worked on projects that pushed me to think differently about coding, such as designing games, developing calculators, and exploring artificial intelligence modules. Each of these experiences was not just about learning to code. They were about learning how to solve problems that matter. I want to carry that mindset into the work I do in Ghana by creating technology that is relevant, practical, and accessible. At the same time, I also care deeply about the social and health challenges my community faces. I created Silent Voices, a movement that sheds light on abusive relationships among youth and educates high school students about signs they often miss. I also carry an interest in global health, especially in areas such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and infectious diseases. I see a future where technology and health intersect in powerful ways, and I want to be part of building solutions that improve lives in Ghana and across Africa. Education gives me the skills, but my passion gives me the drive to act. This scholarship is not just support for my studies. It is an investment into a ripple effect. When I succeed, I carry others with me. My family, my mentees, and my community all benefit from my progress. My career will not end in personal achievement. It will translate into impact, systems, and opportunities that outlive me. My story started with a chalkboard lesson, but with the right education and resources, I believe it will end with classrooms full of students in Ghana and beyond who finally have the tools they need to dream without limits.