Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines, awarded scholarships for academic excellence in the field of computing totaling $2,500 to two students in the School of Computing at the University of North Florida.
Graduate student Nancy Carrier, who is working on her master’s degree in computer science, was awarded the UPE Academic Achievement Award for $1,500. Undergraduate student Ian Manuel, a senior dual majoring in computer science and physics, was awarded the UPE Scholarship Award for $1,000.
“Receiving such international awards is indicative of the rigorous nature of the programs in the University of North Florida’s School of Computing and shows that we are preparing students for successful careers,” said Dr. Sanjay Ahuja, UNF computing professor and UPE advisor.
Carrier, an East Arlington resident, is a non-traditional student and has re-entered the graduate program at UNF with dedication to her master’s degree in Computer Science, holding a 3.91 GPA. As an undergrad, she was part of the Computer Programming Team and Association of Computing Machinery Club and currently serves as president of the UNF chapter of the UPE. Carrier is a senior data scientist at Bank of America and has worked in the technology industry for over 20 years. She also serves as an active volunteer in the community working with local schools as a tutor and role model as well as helping youth through Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
Manuel, a Southside resident, currently holds a 3.98 GPA within his dual majors. He was the Department of Physics Summer Research Grant recipient in 2016. With the grant, he researched the magnetic and optical properties of graphene. He previously assisted in developing software as a programmer for a UNF robotics group and took part in the 2013 and 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition.
UNF’s School of Computing is dedicated to the promotion of an academically exciting and progressive intellectual climate, characterized by a superior program of instruction, peer-recognized scholarship, effective support services and productive professional community involvement.