Hi! I’m Maisha, a student currently studying Computer Science at UC Santa Cruz and transferring to UC Berkeley this fall to study Cognitive Science. I’m super outgoing, love meeting new people, and enjoy helping others feel comfortable and included. I’ve played volleyball for the past 10 years, which has made me a strong team player and great at working with groups. Outside of school I'm a huge music enthusiast, having been to almost 50 concerts and 3 music festivals in my life, always eager to connect with people over shared interests and experiences!

Hometown

Pleasanton, CA​/​USA

Major(s)

Cognitive Science

Minor(s)

Computer Science, Data Science

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Recently, I’ve been involved in a blend of tech, leadership, and team-based organizations. Currently I'm part of UCSC’s Slug AI Club, where I’ve worked on AI​/​chatbot-related projects and outreach efforts, and I’ve also done several computer science projects focused on coding, AI, and data analysis. These include shadowing at SprigHub, and even being behind the scenes of a project to detect exoplanets with Python. I was also part of National Honor Society for 3 years, with my senior year spent as Director of Event Coordination, where I helped plan school events, organize volunteers, and coordinate community service activities. I’ve played volleyball for over 10 years and was also an assistant coach for middle school volleyball teams, which taught me a lot about leadership, communication, and working with different personalities in group settings. One of the roles that helped me the most socially was leading my high school’s football hype group, Blue Crew. I had to put myself out there constantly, meet tons of new people, and bring energy to big crowds with a loud voice and strong presence. That experience made me super comfortable talking to strangers, leading groups, and creating a fun, welcoming environment for everyone around me.

Describe your college experience

My college experience so far has taught me a lot about independence, balance, and staying true to who you are. Coming into college, I realized how important it is to let people get to know you for who you actually are, because that’s how you find your real connections and community. It becomes really easy to fake your personality just to meet and be accepted by those around you but it's so important to understand that not everyone needs to get along with you. I’ve also learned that competition and pressure can get stressful at times, especially in a fast-paced environment, but it’s important not to let that negatively affect your mindset or confidence. Time management has been one of the biggest skills I’ve developed because college comes with so much freedom and individuality compared to high school. At the same time, I believe college is about more than just academics. It’s also about the experiences you have, the people you meet, and the memories you make along the way. Finding a healthy balance between work, social life, and personal growth has been one of the most important parts of my experience so far.

Tip for future students

One thing I wish I knew before college is to remember why you’re working so hard, especially when homesickness hits. For me, thinking about my family and everything they’ve sacrificed always helps motivate me to keep going and appreciate the opportunities I have. College can definitely feel overwhelming at times, but everyone is figuring things out as they go, even if it doesn’t always look like it. I'd also add on that you shouldn’t take your social life too seriously at first. Some people find their closest friends immediately, while for others it can honestly take a year or two which is completely normal. Stay true to yourself and focus on building genuine connections instead of forcing yourself to fit into every group.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far at UC Santa Cruz has been STAT 80: Data Visualization with Professor Marcela Alfaro-Córdoba without any question. She made the class super engaging by incorporating hands on activities and different labs almost every other week, which kept the course really interactive and fun. I am a huge kinesthetic learner so this approach of teaching really stood out to me. Specifically, I loved how it was one of the first classes where I genuinely connected with students from so many different majors. As a Computer Science student, I’m usually surrounded by mostly STEM majors, but in this class I got to work with people studying Economics, Art, Theatre, and more. It made discussions and group work way more interesting, and motivated me to never want to skip class even at times of sickness.

Career goals

After college, I hope to work in tech, ideally in data science or cognitive science, while living in a big city. I also see myself supporting smaller businesses and start ups either by development or even assisting. My dream city is Miami because I love fast-paced environments, city life, and being surrounded by energy and diversity. One of my long-term goals is honestly to have my own penthouse there someday. Looking outside of work, I want to travel to as many countries as possible and continue pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I’m also hoping to get my motorcycle license soon, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. Most importantly, one of my biggest motivations is being able to support my family and help provide for my sister’s education in the future.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night depends on my mood. Sometimes it’s going out into the city with friends, getting food, listening to music, or going to a concert since I’m a huge music person. Other times, I love having a chill night with good music playing, watching a movie, late night drives, or just talking for hours with people I’m close to. I really enjoy experiences that feel spontaneous and memorable, whether that’s going out or just relaxing with good company. It's truly a hit or miss between staying in and playing video games or riding my longboard​/​bike for miles on end. Realistically, most of my free nights are spent in the gym since it's one of my favorite places to spend time at and get my head clear.

High school or secondary school

Foothill High School, Pleasanton, CA​/​USA

Previous college

University of California, Santa Cruz.