Dear Dr. Smith,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am Daniel Matthews, an undergraduate student double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics with a concentration in Mathematical Computing. It is my pleasure to introduce myself as a proud recipient of the Dr. Howard R. Smith Summer Research Award in Information and Computer Science award. I extend my sincere gratitude to you for your support, dedication and commitment to the academic excellence, pursuits and success of the student body at Manning CICS. I strongly believe that your invaluable contributions and generosity will shape the futures of an emerging generation of computer scientists who will define the trajectory of social progress and development by successfully tackling some of the most pressing challenges of modern day through their exceptional computing abilities.
Education has changed dramatically in the past two years. As a global community, we have witnessed extended periods of uncertainty, widespread disruptions in our lives, social isolation that has triggered long lasting impacts on our mental health and professional lives, and unfortunately disease, loss and associated grief. Initiating my college career as an international student in Fall 2020 amidst the dire circumstances created by the pandemic was one of the most challenging decisions I have ever had to make. There was a growing sense of uncertainty about what the future holds, when would I physically be able to make it to the campus and what would the financial repercussions of this choice be. Cultural differences and lack of the in-person college experience hindered my ability to interact and socialize with fellow students. The nine hours and thirty minutes time zone difference aggravated the concerns surrounding my ability to meet academic expectations and goals in addition to integrating with the UMass Amherst community.
When I look back at this beautiful journey and reflect on what I have been able to make out of it, I feel proud not only about my accomplishments but also my decision to be a member of this community. In the most uncertain times, student associations at the Manning CICS such as the UMass ACM chapter, UMass GDSC, BUILD UMass, Fresh CICS and CICS COST helped me associate with the UMass community through virtual engagement platforms. The exceptional Teaching Assistants and Undergraduate Course Assistants helped me understand the nuances of how college courses are structured and offered invaluable help to me as I transitioned into college against the backdrop of the pandemic. Teaching faculty left no stone unturned in making learning more accessible to me by providing recordings, scheduling few office hours that were convenient for me to attend and scheduling exams for students like me in a separate time window.
Manning CICS’s immense support has helped me develop not only as a student but also as an individual. It has shaped my personality as a professional and redefined my trajectory for the future. At Manning CICS, I have associated with individuals who have prompted me to explore my unfathomed interests, skills and talents. Manning CICS’s vision of computing for the common good resonates with my personal goals and I have come to understand that my primary interest lies at the dynamic intersection of social and computer sciences. Manning CICS has given me the opportunity to explore domains such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence that incite my curiosity through my acceptance into the Center for Data Science’s Data Science for Common Good Fellowship for Summer 2022 and the opportunity to work with Dr. Neena Thota on a one-to-one on an honors independent study in Spring 2022.
I am grateful for this scholarship that motivates me to continue on this quest for academic excellence and a enhances my passion for the field of computation and opens doors for countless possibilities that lie ahead for leveraging my skills to create a more equitable world. I hope that I can provide some meaningful contribution to the Manning CICS community through my work and make myself, my family, and the Manning CICS community proud.
Sincerely,
Daniel Matthews