Lauren Sukumar ’19 (information systems and computer science) fell in love with computer science with her freshman information systems course at Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo College.

Deciding on a second major in computer science, Sukumar has pursued research opportunities in the field, such as a two-semester independent study examining retention of students from underrepresented demographics, including women, in the university’s computer science program. She has also served as vice president of the CSUF student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery – Women in Computing student chapter, and a research internship at UC Irvine.

Sukumar is the recipient of the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Outstanding Student Scholarship and has been on Mihaylo College’s Dean’s List for seven consecutive semesters.

“Technology’s influence is not limited to one industry or profession. It can be academically and professionally liberating, as it conceivably holds value and insight for any other discipline,” she says. “Computer science offered choice and space to uncover my passion in the digital age: security and technology policy in health care, education and the labor market. I aspire to analyze and develop policies that help society safely and effectively adapt to technological change.”

Sukumar encourages young professionals of all backgrounds to consider opportunities in information systems. “There is a place in computer science for anyone interested if they trust their curiosity, pursue what excites them and find a community to share their knowledge,” she says. “Along the way, they will surely define their place and, hopefully, help others do the same.”

Read more in Sukumar’s first-person account in The Orange County Register.

For more on Mihaylo College’s Information Systems and Decision Sciences (ISDS) program, visit the department online. Or read more articles about information systems.