Meet our Featured Graduates

From mentoring the next generation of engineers in professional student organizations to conducting groundbreaking scientific research to kickstarting the next technology startup, our graduates have made an incredible impact here at BCOE and beyond. Here are just a few success stories from the Class of 2025.

Commencement Student Speaker | Joe Jimenez

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

The hands-on labs that let me build real projects. They also gave me the chance to work with other students and improve my collaboration skills. These labs helped me bridge the gap between computer theory and real-world applications. I learned how to design and deploy my own website and systems, which boosted my confidence in hardware, software, and embedded systems. My professors were passionate about what they taught, and that energy made me even more excited about the field. I also had the opportunity to attend a microarchitecture conference in Orlando, which opened my eyes to the level of innovation in computer engineering. During my time at BCOE, I also started my own mobile phone repair business, combining what I was learning with my entrepreneurial mindset.

What are you involved with on campus?

I was a Tech Assistant for CHASS, supporting AV systems and classroom technology across campus. I also instructed STEM activities for middle school students, helping to inspire future engineers. I participated in UCR hackathons and attended SHPE meetings to stay connected with the engineering community and stay involved. These experiences gave me practical skills and helped me build a strong support system.
 

Why are you grateful for BCOE?

I'm grateful for the environment BCOE created. It gave me a space to explore my interests, gain experience, and grow personally and professionally. I had access to supportive mentors and a strong community that helped me achieve my goals. BCOE also offered career services, which helped me find opportunities and improve my resume. The opportunities I found at BCOE helped me build confidence, make meaningful connections, and figure out the direction I want to take in my future endeavors. 

What are your future goals/plans?

After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s degree in CS and work in the tech industry, focusing on embedded systems, hardware, or network engineering. I also want to keep growing my mobile phone repair business and hopefully open up a repair shop in the future.

Graduate Marshal | Divyank Shah

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

Joining ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, was truly one of the best decisions I ever made. Since freshman year, ACM has provided me a platform to network with other engineers, lead software and hardware projects, and host technical and professional development workshops. 

What are you involved with on campus?

Over my four years at UCR, I was involved in various student organizations, including ACM, Cutiehack, Rosehack, Bearhack, DesignVerse, Design at UCR, and IEEE Solar Car. I also had the privilege of researching with Hang Qiu in the Collaborative Intelligence Systems Lab. Outside the classroom, I interned at Comcast, Cisco, and ZyberTech. As a master’s student, I recently worked with 600+ students as a teaching assistant for CS010C: Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms.

Why are you grateful for BCOE? 

BCOE provided a safe and encouraging learning environment with supportive faculty inside and outside the classroom. Its active student organizations opened many doors and opportunities that I would not have been aware of otherwise. 

What are your future goals/plans?

After graduation, I plan to enter the industry and apply my knowledge and skills. I want to create new products and services that exceed current standards. At the same time, I want to further share the knowledge and skills I have gained with future students through a formal classroom setting as a computer science lecturer.  

Undergraduate Marshal | Aliyah Owens

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

My experience at BCOE was shaped by the leadership roles I took on, particularly as President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Through leading campus-wide initiatives, organizing mentorship programs, engaging with outreach and raising funds for career and academic development, I discovered how powerful community-driven support can be. These experiences not only helped me grow as a leader but helped me apply what I learned at BCOE to real-world business challenges and prepared me for my full-time role after graduation.

Involvements (research, organizations, leadership, etc.) and achievements

I served as President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) during the 2023–2024 academic year as a third-year student. Under my leadership, our chapter received several honors, including Best Student Organization (Student Life at UCR), Best Organization (African Student Programs), and the Social Justice Activist of the Year Award (Student Life at UCR). We raised $27,000 through the BCOE Match Challenge, which funded the attendance of 14 NSBE members at the 50th Annual National Convention. Many of these students secured interviews, internships, and even full-time roles. 

I also led the Passing the Torch Peer Mentorship Program, which supports Black first-year and transfer students in engineering. What began as a small initiative has grown to support over 40 students through 2023-2025. Through this program, I have been able to give back by building a network of support for students adjusting to the engineering curriculum and helping them connect with peers, faculty, and staff.

As a second-year student, I served as the Marketing Chair for Women in Computing (WINC) in 2023, where I organized technical workshops and led membership growth efforts through creative campaigns. That year, I also held the Public Relations Chair role for NSBE, managing event promotion across campus.

Why are you grateful for BCOE? 

I’m grateful for the people and spaces at BCOE that allowed me to grow technically and personally. From the classroom to student organizations, I was surrounded by peers, mentors, and faculty who encouraged leadership, supported diversity, and created room for students like me to thrive. BCOE didn’t just help me prepare for a career in tech, and it gave me the platform to give back, support others, and build a lasting legacy of service, mentorship, and impact.

Future goals/plans

After graduation, I will join Capital Group full-time as a Technology Rotational Experience (TREx) Associate. This opportunity allows me to continue doing what I love: learning, collaborating, and building across different areas of technology. Through the TREx program, I will rotate through roles such as solutions engineering, software development, and emerging technologies, sharpening my technical and business skills.

Tassel Turner | Chloe Au 

What experiences at BCOE shaped you or your career?

The friendships I made through BCOE organizations made my experience at UCR rich and fulfilling. I am so grateful for my leadership roles in various student organizations, which taught me how to organize large events and effectively communicate with diverse teams. Beyond that,  BCOE offered me invaluable hands-on experiences, from working on machine learning research to exploring the field of cybersecurity. I strengthened my technical skills and developed a more holistic understanding of computer science.

Involvements (research, organizations, leadership, etc.) and achievements

At UCR, I served as president of Women in Computing (Winc) for 2 years, competed as a team member of the Cybersecurity club, and presented my machine learning research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. 

Why are you grateful for BCOE?

I am grateful that BCOE offered a wide range of student clubs, research opportunities, and career development events. Regular talks by faculty and graduate students exposed me to cutting-edge research and opened the field of possible career choices. The college also provided valuable networking events and resources like professional headshot days, which helped me prepare for internships and job opportunities.

Future goals/plans

Post-graduation, I plan to pursue a career in software engineering and databases.