Michael
Jenkins
Hometown: Chantilly, VA
Major: Computer Science
Research Interest: Human-Computer Interaction and Robotics
“Learning and growing alongside some of the most driven students at Carolina is an amazing opportunity I can’t ignore.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CSS PROGRAM AND CAROLINA?
I was attracted to CSS because of its cohort structure, and the academic support offered during my undergraduate years at Carolina. Learning and growing alongside some of the most driven students at Carolina is an amazing opportunity I can’t ignore. I was attracted to Carolina because the university offers a balance of challenging academic rigor in my field of interest, as well as a meaningful social life. The CSS program was the deciding factor due to the complete academic and financial support as well.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING AT CAROLINA OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?
I’m most looking forward to the people I will meet at Carolina. I’m excited to meet the computer science students who I’ll work with and discuss technology with at the highest level, and the students in other majors who will amaze me with the interesting work they’re involved in. I look forward to meeting the mentors who will help refine me to be the best version of myself, and the professors whose lessons will intrigue and inspire me. I’m thrilled beyond belief to meet all those people and more, whose impact on me I can’t even imagine yet.
WHAT RESEARCH TOPIC(S) ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EXPLORING AND WHY?
Since I didn’t get much research exposure pre-college, I’m excited to learn and interact with computer science in a different way than I have before. Human-Computer Interaction and Robotics research interest me as a way to apply my computer science knowledge in a physical, tangible way that could revolutionize the way we live. Software research also interests me as a way to use my computer science skills to support the groundbreaking research of others in non-computer-science areas.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FUTURE STEM CAREER?
I hope to become a software engineer, where my work in computer science can benefit others. Ultimately, I want to become an example of Black excellence in computer science and support younger underrepresented students with aspirations in STEM.