With commencement season in full swing, Khoury News is highlighting students across Northeastern’s network of campuses to learn more about their experiences at Northeastern and goals for the future. Find their stories below or simply scroll to read more.

Arth Patel, Arlington

Arth Patel, a master’s student in computer science, transitioned to Northeastern directly from his undergraduate studies in India, drawn by its renowned co-op program and global campus network. He was particularly interested in gaining extended, hands-on industry experience while maintaining flexibility in his academic and professional path.

During his time at Northeastern, Patel supported both academic and career development initiatives. He served as a teaching assistant for a graduate-level algorithms course — helping students navigate complex concepts — and worked as a career peer advisor, guiding peers with resume-building, LinkedIn optimization, and job search strategies. One of his most impactful experiences was participating in a residency program at Northeastern’s Miami campus, where he connected with students across campuses and supported them in building professional networks and career direction.

Patel also completed a co-op as a UX/UI and AI intern at the Verse, a California-based gaming company, where he contributed to augmented reality applications focused on improving users’ emotional and personal well-being. This experience helped him refine his career interests and pivot toward data science and AI roles, particularly in health care. Reflecting on his journey, Patel values the diverse and close-knit community at the Arlington campus, crediting it with helping him grow both personally and professionally.

Reese Cantu, Boston

READ: With first-of-its-kind double major, Reese Cantu strives to build tech for the deaf community

Reese Cantu created a unique double major in computer science and American Sign Language (ASL)–English interpreting to combine his two long-standing passions. Inspired by early exposure to both fields, he designed his own academic path to address a major gap in technology: the lack of accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. His experiences, including a “study domestic” at the Northeastern-partnered Gallaudet University for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, strengthened his ability to engage with technical concepts in ASL and deepened his understanding of deaf culture and community.

Cantu focuses on improving how technology supports sign language, especially by addressing limitations in current recognition systems that often miss important nuances like facial expressions. Through projects like developing user-friendly software for the Massachusetts National Guard, he has emphasized accessibility and real-world usability. After graduation, he hopes to continue building inclusive technologies in collaboration with the deaf community, ensuring their needs are central to the design process.

Erdun E, Miami

Erdun E, a master’s computer science student, has distinguished himself by blending technical expertise with strong leadership and community building. Drawing on previous industry experience, including work on large-scale distributed systems at Amazon Web Services, he has continued to apply his technical knowledge while fostering collaboration among his peers.

At Northeastern, E founded and led the Miami Tech Club, the campus’s first student-led technical organization, creating opportunities for student engagement, career development, and research exploration. He has also launched cross-campus initiatives that connect students across Northeastern’s global network to allow students to meet and bond over shared interests. In addition to his leadership roles, he serves as a Khoury Student Ambassador, represents the Miami campus on the Khoury Master’s Student Advisory Board, and contributes as a teaching assistant, mentoring students and supporting coursework in advanced computer science topics.

Professionally, E completed a software engineering internship at Superstars, where he developed a TikTok-style video creation workflow within the Flutter-based mobile application and improved team efficiency by authoring developer onboarding documentation. He was also selected for Northeastern’s competitive Entrepreneurship Trek, an immersive program focused on startup innovation and product development.

Recognized for both his technical contributions and leadership, E received the Outstanding Leadership Network Student Award and Northeastern’s Laurel and Scroll honor. Through his work, he continues to prioritize building inclusive, supportive communities that enhance student learning and collaboration.

Vinal Dalcy Dsouza, Oakland

Vinal Dalcy Dsouza, a master’s student in computer science, arrived at Northeastern’s Oakland campus after nearly five years working as a data engineer for multiple multinational companies, where she quickly earned promotions. Despite her professional stability, Dsouza was motivated to step out of her comfort zone and fulfill a long-standing goal of pursuing a master’s degree, ultimately choosing Northeastern for its strong reputation and emphasis on experiential learning.

At Northeastern, Dsouza embraced a new academic environment that challenged her with a more practical, hands-on approach to learning. She became involved in research through the Khoury College Research Apprenticeship program, contributing to a project focused on AI adoption in local government. After completing the apprenticeship, she continued her work as a research assistant and presented her findings at a research showcase, gaining valuable exposure to a field she had not previously explored. She also took particular interest in distributed systems coursework, where she deepened her understanding of how infrastructure and system design shape real-world applications.

Building on her background in data engineering and her academic experiences, Dsouza aims to pursue roles at the intersection of data, AI, and distributed systems, such as applied AI or cloud-focused engineering positions. She credits supportive faculty and a collaborative academic environment for helping her stay motivated and confident as she navigated her studies and transitioned to the next stage of her career.

Marcela Perro, online

READ: Marcela Perro is raising two kids in Montana. It’s not stopping her from earning her CS master’s online

Initially hesitant to enter tech as a first-generation college student studying in a second language, Marcela Perro instead began her career in project management. But her passion for tech never faded, so after the pandemic — and with encouragement from her husband — she decided to take the leap, joining Khoury College’s Align master’s program for students without computing backgrounds. The flexibility of the program’s online option, along with its supportive community and in-person residencies, allowed the Montana-based mother of two to balance family life while building technical skills.

Despite early challenges, such as impostor syndrome and having to learn programming from scratch, Perro persevered and eventually became a teaching assistant to support others facing similar struggles. Partway through her degree, she transitioned into a cybersecurity role with the state of Montana, where she now automates processes to improve threat detection and response. By adjusting her course load and working closely with advisors, she has been able to manage her career, education, and family responsibilities. Perro’s journey highlights that transitioning into tech is possible at any stage of life, and that flexibility and determination can make even complex goals achievable.

Venkateshprasad Kulkarni, Portland

Venkateshprasad “Venky” Kulkarni is a master’s student in computer science who, before coming to the US, spent five years working at Capgemini in India, where he advanced to a team lead role. With an undergraduate background in electronics and telecommunication, Kulkarni chose to pursue computer science to broaden his knowledge and explore new technical pathways.

During his time at Northeastern, Kulkarni pursued both research and community leadership. As a research apprentice, he worked on a qualitative study examining how students from non-computing backgrounds adapt to the field. His work was accepted for a presentation at the ICER conference at the University of Virginia. In addition, he served as a lead for the Google Developer Groups chapter, where he organized Arcanum, a weeklong, multi-campus puzzle competition that engaged more than 100 students across Northeastern’s global network.

Kulkarni also gained industry experience through a co-op at Grantx, a Maine-based startup that builds AI and data tools to aid those applying for grants. There, he worked with data and machine learning systems, gaining valuable exposure to US work culture and earning a full-time job offer upon graduation. Reflecting on his journey, he credits his growth to stepping outside his comfort zone and embracing new opportunities, a mindset he encourages other students to adopt as they navigate their own paths.

Sihe Chen, Seattle

Sihe Chen began his career in the autonomous driving industry, and over three years, he discovered a strong interest in areas like machine learning, AI, and computer vision — fields he had not explored during his undergraduate studies in information security. Motivated to deepen his knowledge, he chose Northeastern’s Seattle campus to pursue a master’s in computer science and delve into research opportunities.

At Northeastern, Chen immersed himself in computer vision early, taking on one of the school’s most rigorous courses in his first semester. That decision proved pivotal, connecting him with faculty and peers who shared his interests. He went on to collaborate on research with Professor Bruce Maxwell through a master’s research apprenticeship, which led him to co-authoring and publishing a paper. In addition to research, he served as a teaching assistant for multiple semesters and as a research peer advisor, mentoring fellow students and sharing insights from his academic and industry experiences.

Chen also leveraged these experiences to return to the autonomous driving field, securing an internship, and later a return offer, with Waymo. After graduation, he will join the company’s simulation team, working on systems that use virtual environments to test and improve self-driving technology. He credits his growth to taking risks and pursuing new opportunities.

Mandar Ambulkar, Silicon Valley

READ: In grad school, Mandar Ambulkar cranked up the pressure — and thrived

Mandar Ambulkar made the most of his CS master’s studies in Silicon Valley by taking on a wide range of academic and extracurricular responsibilities. Initially arriving from Pune, India and focusing on social life and fitness, he quickly shifted gears after discovering opportunities on campus. He simultaneously worked as a teaching assistant and as part of the campus’s audiovisual and IT team, where he supported major university events, including managing live graduation displays for hundreds of attendees. Balancing multiple roles, he developed a structured approach to productivity by breaking tasks into manageable pieces and focusing deeply on one responsibility at a time.

Ambulkar also engaged in hands-on research, collaborating with peers on projects in computer vision and AI. His work on a real-time hand gesture recognition system achieved strong accuracy and efficiency, earning recognition at a student research showcase and sparking interest in applications such as medical training tools. He later contributed to a privacy-focused AI chatbot in partnership with a startup called SurfSense, emphasizing data security and practical implementation. Through these experiences, Ambulkar built technical expertise, confidence, and adaptability.

Kalhar Pandya and Mansi Modi, Vancouver

READ: “Northeastern became our second family”: Kalhar Pandya and Mansi Modi’s journey in Vancouver

Kalhar Pandya and Mansi Modi, a married couple pursuing computer science master’s degrees at Northeastern’s Vancouver campus, have built their academic journey around shared goals, collaboration, and community. The two first met as undergraduate students in India, bonding over their curiosity about technology before eventually forming a relationship. Determined to continue their education together, they chose Northeastern for its global reputation and Vancouver for its thriving tech scene. Throughout their graduate studies, they have taken many of the same courses, supported each other through challenging material, and strengthened both their academic and personal partnership.

Beyond the classroom, Pandya and Modi have worked together on hackathons, teaching assistant roles, and workshops, while also building strong connections with faculty and peers. Their experience at Northeastern has been defined not just by academic success but also by a deep sense of belonging. After moving far from home, they found a close-knit support system within their university community, even celebrating their wedding with professors and classmates. As they prepare to graduate and begin their careers, their journey reflects the power of shared ambition and the importance of community in shaping both personal and professional growth.