Pacesetters

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-2019) Statement

The evolving news about the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) impacts us all.

The ambiguity and lack of knowledge of this novel virus has resulted in a myriad of responses including fear, anxiety, frustration, and stress. Specifically, when viruses and diseases are associated with originating in a specific geographical location or with a specific nationality or population there is often an increase in exclusionary responses. These responses can lead to harmful assumptions, biases (unconscious or implicit), social stigma, and/or hurtful behavior towards certain groups of people and places which negatively affects us all and our community.

During this time of “social distancing,” Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering Office of Diversity and Inclusion (LODI) remains committed to fulfilling the Luddy School diversity statement via fostering an environment that includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, identities, abilities, experiences, interests, and perspectives and intentionally fosters appreciation of the values, skills and abilities of everyone. Therefore, while we are separated by distance we encourage all of our stakeholders to identify many ways to remain connected, supportive, and committed to building a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive academic environment that attracts high potential and innovative students, faculty, and staff as well as supports the growth of global diverse and inclusive leaders and citizens committed to inclusive excellence in our nation and world.

Although we are apart, remember “distance means so little when someone means so much.” Each of you matter and means so much to our Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering community. If you face any challenges or have any concerns about the learning or working environment please contact the Luddy School Office of Diversity and Inclusion at:

Lamara D. Warren, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
Indiana University
ldwarren@indiana.edu
(812) 856-0703 (Office)
(573) 999-4868 (Mobile)

Please visit coronavirus.iu.edu for up-to-date COVID-19 announcements from IU.

Resources:
Riley Allred, sophomore

Riley Allred, sophomore

  • rcallred@indiana.edu
  • Major: Informatics (pre-health professions cognate)
  • Minor: Spanish
  • Hometown: Sellersburg, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • President and past external relations chair of Women in Computing
    • Luddy Living Learning Center resident as a freshman
  • Favorite quote: “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.” —Taylor Swift
  • Tips for prospective students: Always work hard, but never too hard. Save time to find out who you really are. College is an experience, so pursue it with confidence.
Mouhammed Camara, senior

Mouhammed Camara, senior

  • moucamar@indiana.edu
  • Major: Informatics (business cognate)
  • Minor: Business
  • Hometown: Newark, New Jersey
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • Indiana men’s basketball
    • Student Athletic Board
    • Information technology intern at IU Athletics
    • Kelley Living Learning Center
    • Study abroad in India
  • Favorite quote: “Live Life Full On”
  • Tips for prospective students: Never be afraid to fail and take risks. College is a learning experience and taking risks will broaden your horizons.
Twanyea (Tia) Donaldson, senior

Twanyea (Tia) Donaldson, senior

  • tcdonald@iu.edu
  • Major: Informatics (psychology cognate)
  • Minor: Animal biology
  • Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • I Can Persist Scholar
    • Black Student Union historian
    • Intern for Black Women in Technology
    • Intern for ACCT Uganda
  • Favorite quote: “It’s not about supplication, it’s about power. It’s not about asking, it’s about demanding. It’s not about convincing those who are currently in power, it’s about changing the very face of power itself.” —Kimberle Williams Crenshaw
  • Tips for prospective students: Learn about yourself and work hard.
Jonathan Krzesniak, junior

Jonathan Krzesniak, junior

  • jkrzesni@iu.edu
  • Major: Intelligent systems engineering (cyber-physical systems concentration)
  • Hometown: Loogootee, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • INgineering club
    • Computer engineering intern at NSWC Crane
  • Favorite quote: “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” —Rabindranath Tagore
  • Tips for prospective students: Find your niche! There’s something in Luddy for everybody—you just have to explore!
Daniel Murphy, sophomore

Daniel Murphy, sophomore

  • mumurphy@iu.edu
  • Major: Informatics (medical sciences cognate)
  • Minors: Medical sciences, computer science, entrepreneurship
  • Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • Leadership Council for the Luddy Living Learning Center
    • Habitat for Humanity
  • Favorite quote: “Feed your dreams, and starve your fears.”
  • Tips for prospective students: Be yourself, and be ready for a lot of amazing opportunities.
Ben Staples, junior

Ben Staples, junior

  • bestaple@iu.edu
  • Major: Computer science (security specialization)
  • Minor: Mathematics
  • Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • Summer Research Opportunities in Computing (SROC)
  • Favorite quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
  • Tips for prospective students: Often the best resource to solve a problem you’re having won’t be your instructor but rather students going through a class with you! Reach out—you may be surprised.
Laural Stone, sophomore

Laural Stone, sophomore

  • stoneash@iu.edu
  • Major: Informatics (business cognate)
  • Minors: Marketing, psychology
  • Hometown: Bedford, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • Luddy Living Learning Center resident as a freshman
  • Favorite quote: “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” —Aristotle
  • Tips for prospective students: Pay attention to the work you are doing while you’re procrastinating. It may tell you a lot about what you should be doing for the rest of your life.
Jermaine Williams Jr., senior

Jermaine Williams Jr., senior

  • jw232@indiana.edu
  • Major: Informatics (media cognate)
  • Minor: Human-centered computing
  • Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Internships/Involvement:
    • Director of current topics for Indiana Memorial Union Board
    • President of National Society of Black Engineers
    • Resident assistant
    • Teach IT intern
    • Teach IT team lead
    • GLOBID: India
  • Favorite quote: “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” —Langston Hughes
  • Tips for prospective students: Always be optimistic and step out of your comfort zone. Remember that your faith can move mountains, but your doubt can also create them.

Become a Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters are enthusiastic and involved undergraduates who tell high school students, parents, and current IU students about Luddy. They promote inclusivity at the school and help plan and carry out a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives involving outreach, recruiting, and retention. They must commit at least five hours per week to the program.

If you become a Pacesetter, you’ll get valuable experience, grow as a leader, build your leadership and communication skills, and network with people at Luddy and professionals in the tech field. You’ll also receive a $500 award each semester.

Apply

You can apply to become a Pacesetter in the fall semester. For more information, contact Lamara Warren at ldwarren@indiana.edu.