Undergraduate College

Minji Kim, a University of Texas at Austin informatics senior, approaches AI and computer science through an ethics-focused, human-centered lens rather than pure coding. She has contributed to privacy-preserving vision language model research, delivered cybersecurity solutions through the Texas Cybersecurity Clinic, and mentored students through Girls Who Code—all driven by her commitment to creating socially impactful machine learning solutions. Inspired by professors who emphasize AI ethics and community service, Minji now prepares for a career combining cybersecurity and machine learning while maintaining her focus on benefiting society.

Rachel Schnakenberg, a transfer student who arrived at UT Austin in fall 2023, recently earned the prestigious Beinecke Scholarship as UT's sole recipient through strategic networking and community engagement. Her flood emergency research under Dr. Javier Auyero's mentorship, combined with active participation in the Urban Ethnography Lab and work at the Blanton Museum, exemplifies her academic excellence. Rachel's success demonstrates how building meaningful relationships with faculty and peers creates a strong foundation for future Ph.D. studies in sociology.

Plan II Honors graduate and BDP student Caroline Whitmarsh has been awarded a $15,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowship from Phi Kappa Phi.