#BCGrad2021 Celebrates Resilience and Hope: Asma Awad Named Valedictorian for Class of 2021
May 13, 2021
Asma Awad '21
Computer science major to work as software engineer at JPMorgan & Chase Co. after graduation.
When Asma Awad arrived at Brooklyn College in 2017, she was in awe of the variety of majors, minors, and concentrations available. At the time, the 21-year-old Brooklyn native was coming up on her fifth year working at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where she had been recently promoted to program assistant. Working there had made her consider possible careers in education and environmental science.
Despite her love for daily tasks such as performing bacteriological water analysis and teaching children horticultural skills, Awad was curious to explore what different fields of study had to offer. At the end of her sophomore year, she decided to take an introductory computer science course at the recommendation of a friend. Awad found herself enjoying the assignments and looking into tech-related resources in her free time, fascinated at the ways that technology was intertwined with so many other disciplines.
Introduced to the tech world through training with Girls Who Code—a nonprofit organization that works to increase the number of women in computer science by equipping young women with computing skills—Awad sought out more industry experience through internships, accepting three in the next two years. She was also selected to join a technical training program, CUNY Tech Prep, where, in addition to learning in-demand tools and technologies, she represents Brooklyn College as one of two student ambassadors.
Drawing on her faith, Awad was quick to join the Brooklyn College chapter of the club Muslims Giving Back. Open to students of all faiths and backgrounds, the group engages in community service, such as crafting hygiene kits and care packages for people in shelters. The members also participate in “Charity Week,” an annual event during which the club raises money for various causes, including as installing rainwater harvest systems and rebuilding schools around the world. Awad’s participation in the club has allowed her to make an impact while building a sense of community with other Brooklyn College students.
Also a Macaulay Honors College student, Awad has participated in research dedicated to creating online environments that are more accessible to people with disabilities. She is extremely thankful to Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science Devorah Kletenik, who gave her the opportunity to work on a semester-long project that focused on developing games that teach internet accessibility in computer science courses.
After graduating with a 4.0 grade point average and a B.S. in computer science, Awad will work as a software engineer at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Outside of classes and work, Awad has worked on a couple of her own projects as well, her favorite being “NaturAlly,” a virtual reality program designed to simulate an outdoors experience for children who face a lack of outdoor exposure due to hospitalization.
