config.yml and set future: false.]]>One of the parts I appreciated most was the opportunity to collaborate with students from different grade levels and different areas of expertise. Everyone brought something different to the project, and that made our work stronger. I really enjoyed seeing how our ideas came together and how each person’s perspective helped shape the final product. Through this process, we worked on the CLASS AlignED framework, which looked at AI integration as more than just using a tool in the classroom. It considered the importance of policy, teaching guidance, infrastructure, and analytics all working together. That experience showed me how valuable collaboration can be when people are working toward the same purpose.
This project also helped me grow in ways that I did not fully expect. I learned more about conducting research as part of a team, communicating ideas clearly, and contributing to production-ready documentation professionally. More importantly, I gained a better understanding of how technology can be designed to support educators rather than overwhelm them. I found it especially meaningful that the project could have a positive impact on institutions such as HBCUs, where AI adoption may be increasing even when support systems are still catching up. That gave the work a deeper purpose for me and made the experience feel even more rewarding.
Another proud moment from this experience was presenting our paper, “Bridging Policy and Practice: The CLASS AlignED Framework for Responsible AI Integration in Higher Education,” which won second place at the 2026 ADMI Symposium. That recognition made all of the hard work, collaboration, and persistence feel even more meaningful. Overall, being part of this SGX3 project was an amazing experience, and it is something I will always consider one of the highlights of my master’s journey.
]]>A major part of my contribution came through collaboration and consistency during our long days in the library. I took pride in showing up prepared, staying engaged, and helping move our group forward when we encountered challenges. Whether it was organizing our research findings, offering new perspectives during discussions, or helping refine our final ideas, I found myself becoming more confident in my voice and my role within a team. At the same time, those long hours allowed me to form meaningful connections with my peers. Getting to know everyone beyond academics made the experience more rewarding, and the shared dedication we all brought created a strong sense of community.
Seeing our research come together into a final presentation was one of the most exciting and fulfilling parts of the program. I was incredibly proud of the work we had all invested so much time and energy into, and it was rewarding to see our ideas take shape in a cohesive and impactful way. Watching the full process unfold from early brainstorming to a polished final product felt like a beautiful culmination of our efforts. It also gave me the chance to reflect on how much I had grown along the way, both in confidence and in skill.
Working alongside experienced and talented upperclassmen pushed me to elevate my own abilities. I learned how to communicate ideas more effectively, strengthened my computer science and research skills, and developed a better understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration. Beyond the academic growth, I also gained friendships that I know will last beyond this program. CLASS AlignED not only helped me grow as a student and researcher, but also showed me the value of persistence, teamwork, and stepping into new challenges with confidence.
]]>Under the mentorship of Dr. Hayden and Jeaime Powell, I dove into research that pushed me to think more critically and rigorously than I ever had before. The work wasn’t just about running analyses, it was about asking the right questions, interpreting results with care, and understanding the real-world implications behind the numbers. Every project challenged me to go deeper, and having mentors who genuinely invested in my growth made all the difference.
One of the highlights of my time at SGX3 was presenting our project demo at the 2026 ADMI Symposium. Our work, “CLASS AlignED: Bridging the Gap between AI and Policy,” took 2nd place, but the award wasn’t what stayed with me. Walking into that room, I was nervous. Public speaking had always been something I admired in others but quietly dreaded for myself. But standing up there, presenting work I’d genuinely poured myself into, something shifted. The questions from the audience pushed me to defend and articulate my thinking in real time, and I left that stage more confident than I arrived. It’s a moment I’ll carry with me.
Beyond the technical growth, what surprised me most was how much SGX3 felt like a community. The team, and honestly, that word barely covers it, it felt more like a family created an environment where I felt supported enough to take risks and ask questions without fear.
My time at SGX3 has been one of the most formative experiences of my career. I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Hayden, Jeaime Powell, and the entire team for the guidance, opportunities, and belief they offered so generously. This experience has truly shaped who I am as a professional, and I’m just getting started.
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