Susie S.

Susie, a 16-year-old first-generation college student from rural North Dakota, has been passionate about computer science and robotics since discovering her love for STEM at a young age. Inspired by her mother, who introduced her to FIRST robotics, Susie quickly became a leader in her community. She shares her passion by mentoring youth robotics teams, serving as a team captain for three years, and founding Williston Robotics, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting STEM and computer science education through robotics competitions. Her greatest technical accomplishment is establishing a nonprofit that has reached over 1,000 children in her community and now includes over 50 active participants, empowering students in northwest North Dakota to explore computer science and engineering. Susie’s advocacy for STEM has earned her recognition as a state leader, including the Innovate ND 2024 Award presented by Governor Doug Burgum. Susie plans to attend the University of North Dakota to study Computer Science and Political Science, with a minor in Leadership. Her dream is to combine her expertise in technology with policy-making to bridge educational gaps and foster innovation in rural communities. She envisions creating technologies that enhance access to education, ensuring every child, regardless of location, experiences the transformative power of STEM.