As a first-generation Hispanic college student pursuing a degree in Computer Science at CSU Monterey Bay, I have faced numerous challenges but have remained steadfast in my commitment to achieving academic excellence and making a difference in my community. Coming from a financially underserved background, I understand the transformative power of education, especially in fields like STEM that offer stability and the potential for significant societal impact. This scholarship would play a critical role in helping me fulfill my aspirations, not just for myself, but for those I aim to uplift along the way. One of the most significant experiences of my academic journey has been my contributions to open-source projects, particularly with Oppia, an educational platform that provides access to foundational learning to students who may not have traditional educational resources. My work on Oppia involved migrating a complex codebase to modern standards, which in turn helps students around the world gain access to free, quality education. This experience highlighted the importance of accessible learning resources, especially for underserved communities. Beyond open source, I am also heavily involved in helping my peers. As a student ambassador for the CS++ program at my university, I tutor fellow computer science students, assisting them with coursework, interview preparation, and coding assessments. I recognize that the journey to a degree in a STEM field can be daunting, particularly for those who may not have access to mentors or resources. By helping others, I aim to break down those barriers and create a more inclusive environment for success. Moreover, I am passionate about sharing knowledge and empowering others through platforms like my open-source blog. This blog serves as a guide for students who are new to open source, providing documentation and proof of their contributions. It also serves my cohort in the Computing Talent Initiative, a program that requires students to actively participate in open-source projects. My goal is to use this platform to encourage more students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, to contribute to open-source software and see the impact they can make. Balancing school, work, and extracurricular activities has been a challenge, especially with the financial burden of commuting and living expenses. However, these challenges have only strengthened my resolve to succeed and to make the most of every opportunity. With the support of this scholarship, I could afford to live on campus, which would reduce my commute time and allow me to participate in more research projects, volunteer opportunities, and community outreach efforts. Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous honor, as it would allow me to focus more on my education and less on the financial strain. I am driven by the belief that technology can be a force for good, creating equitable opportunities for all, and I am committed to using my skills and experience to make that vision a reality.

I first developed a love for coding after attending a coding workshop in middle school, as any kid who was addicted to video games would. As I grew older, I developed a passion for computer science by witnessing how technology can create opportunities for communities in need. As a first-generation Hispanic college student, I faced numerous challenges in my journey, but these experiences fueled my desire to give back to my community, particularly through education and technology. My involvement in open-source projects, such as Oppia—an educational platform designed to provide accessible lessons to learners across the globe—ignited my interest in using technology to make a real impact. Contributing to Oppia allowed me to see firsthand how powerful technology can be in transforming educational access, especially for underrepresented communities. This realization motivated me to not only continue contributing to open-source but also to share my experiences and help guide other students, particularly those in my cohort, the Computing Talent Initiative (CTI). Through my open-source blog platform, I am empowering my fellow students by providing them with a space to document their contributions, share their learning journeys, and support each other. As part of CTI, my cohortmates are required to actively contribute to open-source projects, and my platform helps them track their progress while providing the necessary documentation and proof of contributions. This blog will soon include a resource for tutorials, coding challenges, and interview preparation—areas in which I actively tutor my peers. Beyond my work with the blog, I am committed to increasing diversity in technology. As a student ambassador for the CS++ program, I have advocated for more inclusive opportunities for underrepresented students in computer science. My passion extends to helping my community succeed in the tech world through mentorship, tutoring, and real-world guidance on navigating the tech landscape. My dream job after receiving my computer science degree is to work in machine learning and artificial intelligence, where I can create technologies that address real-world challenges, especially in education. I believe that by pursuing a career in AI, I can help develop intelligent systems that make knowledge more accessible to those who need it most, much like the work I've done with Oppia. I believe I am the best candidate for this scholarship because my story is one of resilience, advocacy, and dedication to using technology to create opportunities for others. As a first-generation Hispanic college student, I’ve overcome challenges related to access and representation in the tech world. I have worked tirelessly to help my community by contributing to open-source projects and mentoring my peers in coding assessments and technical interviews. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue these efforts and expand my impact, as it would enable me to afford on-campus housing. This would eliminate the long commute that currently limits my ability to volunteer, participate in research projects, and contribute to extracurricular activities. I am committed to honoring Chris Jackson’s legacy by ensuring that technology creates equitable opportunities for everyone, regardless of background.

One of the projects I’m most passionate about is a blog platform centered on open-source contributions, inspired by my recent experiences in open-source development. As a Hispanic student at CSU Monterey Bay, I've faced unique challenges navigating tech, but these challenges have driven my desire to give back to the community and create pathways for others. My blog platform was born from a need I recognized while contributing to projects like Oppia, an educational platform that makes learning accessible to underprivileged communities. This experience opened my eyes to the power of technology in education. I wanted to create a space where students like me could share their own journeys in open-source, offering guidance and insights to others. My blog platform isn’t just a personal endeavor; it’s designed to serve the broader community, particularly my peers in the Computing Talent Initiative (CTI). This program requires students to contribute to open-source projects actively, and my platform helps them track their work by documenting contributions and providing proof of their progress. By fostering a collaborative space, I’m empowering students to overcome the challenges of open-source and gain valuable experience that can benefit their future careers. As a tutor for my cohortmates, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the technical landscape. I’ve helped them with classwork, interview preparation, and coding assessments, and through this, I realized the importance of accessible resources and support systems. This is why my blog application will also offer tutorials and real-world examples of open-source contributions, helping other students overcome the barriers that I once faced. Beyond the blog, I’m committed to making a difference in my community. As a student ambassador for the CS++ program at CSUMB, a program that aims to help computer science students by offering interview support, college preparation, and more, I’ve had the opportunity to advocate for increased diversity and inclusion in tech, encouraging other underrepresented students to pursue careers in computer science. My work is driven by a passion for making education and technology more inclusive and accessible, particularly for Hispanic and first-generation college students like myself. I believe that by creating spaces for students to share their experiences and learn from one another, we can foster a more supportive and collaborative community. This project aligns with my broader goal of using technology to empower others and make a lasting impact. Whether it’s through open-source contributions, tutoring, or community advocacy, I’m committed to helping others succeed in their own journeys in tech, and this scholarship would enable me to continue that work on an even larger scale.