Iman Kiio
Information Science
Groton, Mass.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was INFO 4505 Computing and Global Development. I really enjoyed this class because it allowed me to combine my passion for technology with my interest in service. We learned about how technology can be made accessible on a global scale. Overall, it challenged me to think deeply about how technology can be used to truly benefit communities while considering their unique needs. In the future, I plan to use my knowledge of technology to give back to society.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
My main extracurricular activity is being treasurer of Wanawake Wa Wari Cooperative. I live in a cooperative house on campus and there I have found a community amongst a group of women who share similar interests in creating community on campus and giving back. As an officer, I work on planning and organizing events on campus to help students build community, network and have fun. As an underclassman, I would attend Wari events with my friends and now that I get to be one of the people who organizes events and helps students find community, this is such a full circle moment.
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I am a Milstein Scholar and I have had the amazing opportunity to be involved in service projects centered around technology since I was a freshman. The projects have included creating a website to help students with their internship search, spending the summer at Cornell Tech and working with local nonprofits, and being able to work on a continuation of my junior research project for the last three semesters, where I have studied the impact of introducing technology to children at a young age. I have seen how exposure to technology and programming at a young age has inspired me to pursue technology academically and professionally, however I acknowledge that not everyone has equal access to this opportunity. Therefore, I focused my junior year research project on providing programming classes for children and studying the effects it has on their confidence in technology and the likelihood of them pursuing technology-related fields academically and professionally. I have had the amazing opportunity to continue this research for the last two semesters and I also hope to continue this venture in the future to help make technology education accessible to as many children as possible.
How have your beliefs or perspectives changed since you first arrived at Cornell?
Cornell has provided me with the tools, resources and support for me to be able to achieve anything I would like to pursue in the future. Since coming to Cornell, I have grown in ways I did not expect. I have developed strong communication skills, learned how to clearly express my ideas and gained the confidence to take on leadership roles. Also, through my major, I have built valuable technical skills, and I have learned how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Being surrounded by driven peers and supportive faculty has helped me see myself as someone who can lead and make a positive impact. I have discovered that I am both capable and prepared to contribute to meaningful change.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series.Read more about the Class of 2025.
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