UC’s student body president reflects on his experience

Like most engineering students, the co-op program was what brought me here. The fact that co-op is required means that there are plenty of resources available to students in their professional endeavors. Resources like an additional co-op adviser, events like the career fair, and a structured class schedule to complement the co-op schedule.

As a software developer co-op at London Computer Systems in Mason, Ohio, for two co-op rotations, I was responsible for writing code to fix bugs in a program called RentManager, which is property management software. I was also responsible for adding new features to this program including adding pet tracking capabilities so you can record all the pets living in a specific apartment building or house.

Like most students in high school, I was very into playing video games on my computer. With every new game came bigger and better graphics, and my old computer just couldn’t compete. As a result, I spent a lot of time upgrading individual parts of my computer and ultimately built a new computer. This experience made me realize how much I enjoyed working on computers and wanted to study it for a degree.

I initially got involved through a mentorship program for first-year students run by CEAS Tribunal, the student government entity for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. I absolutely loved my experience in that program and it felt rewarding giving back to the student experience. It was that experience, and every contribution following, that drove me to stay involved in these roles.

There can be many long nights, and dozens of hours put into an initiative, but seeing the immediate benefit that it has on students makes it all completely worth it. It’s moments like that which have motivated me to stay involved in student government for all five years!

The most impactful experiences during my time at UC are the ones that I’ve had in my student involvement. My closest friendships, the happiest moments, and the most rewarding times have been thanks to student organizations. From building a Homecoming float, to planning the career fair, to running for student body president, to advocating for better resources for students, my best memories come from student involvement.

The college application process was stressful and it was confusing to navigate standardized testing, the common application, student loans, and everything else without having parents who have experienced these things themselves. 

Being a first-gen student means taking risks that my family did not take and setting a prerequisite for future generations that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I’d like to think that despite being a first-generation student, I’ve capitalized on every opportunity and have gotten the most out of my college experience. It’s these experiences, which I’m more than thankful for, that will allow me to be a resource for my future family and can ensure they have the resources needed to achieve their ambitions.

I don't have any solidified plans yet for after graduation, but I am hoping to receive a full-time job offer before the end of the year.

The skills that I have learned from student involvement and my co-op experiences will stick with me for a lifetime. The University of Cincinnati has cultivated an environment for students to thrive, and as a result, I am more than prepared to tackle the next chapter of my life.

Be willing to put yourself in situations that may be uncomfortable. It’s these moments, whether it be within academics or outside of academics, that will push you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.