Emanda Seifu

SIP Member Since 2017
Virginia Tech University

Computer Science
Class of  2025

Skills & Highlights:
  • Public Speaking
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork
View Resume
Resume Summary:

Self-motivated freshman computer science major with 5+ years of practical experience in creating and delivering innovative STEM seminars to adult educators and MS/HS students. Technical proficiencies include Java and Python. Creative problem solver with proven project management and team-oriented skills.

Achievements

Certifications

  • 2020 YMHFA Mental Health First Aid
  • 2020 Hermela Assefa, Building a Team: Identifying the Leaders Around You
  • 2020 IBM AI Foundations for Educators

Awards & Scholarships

  • 2020 QuestBridge National College Match Finalist
  • 2020 QuestBridge College Prep Scholar
  • 2019-2020 National Center of Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award Winner

Competitions

  • 2020 Girls Who Start Design Hackathon: “My Nourishment” App
  • 2017-2018 Aerospace Corporation Annual Robert H. Herndon Science Competition

Presentations & Speaking

Experience

  • 2021 Jane Street’s Unboxed Program
  • 2020 ASAProject Precinct Liaison & Committee Member
  • 2020 Beyond 1619 Virtual Student Seminar
  • 2019 Bright CS Camp Educator & Curriculum Designer
  • 2018 Digital Marketing Communication Intern, iSchool for the Future

Bio

Emanda is a college freshman attending Virginia Tech. She has been a member of the STEM Impressionists Program (SIP), a non-profit organization that supports minority girls in exploring STEM and part of the SIP Executive Board for 5 years. She was elected to the SIP Board upon high school graduation.

Emanda participated in the 2019 Catholic University QuarkNet Physics Seminar where she applied physics concepts to real-world scenarios. She obtained the opportunity to visit the National Cathedral and study the movement of muons (which are subatomic particles) in buildings with different architectural designs. The connections Emanda made at the QuarkNet Seminar led her to arrange a workshop with CAPE Science.

Ms. Seifu was recognized for her Aspirations in Technology and has been awarded the 2019 NCWIT National Certificate of Distinction, the 2020 NCWIT Honorable Mention Award, and was recently named a 2021 NCWIT Virginia & District of Columbia Affiliate Winner.

Emanda has taught at George Mason University’s Females Of Color Underrepresented in STEM Camp (FOCUS). She co-taught middle school students about optics using STEM projects such as building a spectrometer.

Emanda was chosen for an internship with iSchool for the Future as a Digital Marketing Communication Intern. Her responsibilities included creating a marketing campaign for Giving Tuesday and managing the organization’s website. Emanda was also an Educator & Curriculum Designer for the Bright CS Camp; she created lesson plans relating to STEM activities and led student discussions about education and the cyberworld. Emanda plans to study computer science in college, and continue to explore her passion for STEM.

What SIP Means to Me

Mx. DeHart’s devotion to supporting underrepresented youth is exemplary. She has created a pathway for minority students to explore STEM.
Having grown up believing anything outside becoming a doctor or engineering was not good enough, I was afraid to explore new realms until joining SIP. Mx. DeHart’s mentorship encouraged me to explore different career paths, which is how I found my passion for computer science. During the summer before my freshman year of high school, Mx. DeHart invited me to partake in a 5-week summer Java bootcamp. Through the opportunity, I gained an affinity for computer science.
Now as a senior applying to colleges and scholarships, Mx. DeHart has been a critical part of my journey. As a first-generation college student, I had no idea where to start when applying. Mx. DeHart took it upon herself to join me at several college seminars and in creating my college list.
As I applied to schools, she consistently gave me feedback and encouraged me throughout the process. Thanks to her support, I applied into QuestBridge, a program that helps low-income, high achieving students matriculate into the college of their choice and was accepted as a 2020 College Prep Scholar and National College Match Finalist.
Mx. DeHart offers a unique outlook as an advocate for students; her dedication to the program and to the members is inspiring. I am confident that her story is immensely valuable to all and makes her worthy of this award.