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Name: Lisa Garrity ’19

Hometown: Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Academics: computer science major

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Campus involvement: I worked as a member of the student programs stage crew for two years, and as a media resources student tech in LITS for another two. I was a GEM — Giga Education Mentor — for the computer science department. I also worked backstage on multiple mainstage productions at Rooke Theatre, as a stage manager and by doing set prep, costume prep, lighting prep and wardrobe run crew.

Proudest accomplishment at ¹û¶³´«Ã½: I was honored to be chosen as a peer mentor for the computer science department’s Megas and Gigas Educate program. I appreciated the opportunity to support students through Introduction to Computational Problem Solving in the same way my GEMs had helped me as a beginning student.

A place or an experience you will miss at ¹û¶³´«Ã½: I will miss the beautiful study spaces and friendly staff at the library, and spending time in the costume shop at Rooke Theatre.

Course that surprised you, or that you thought you might not like: This semester I took Art of Cold War Modernity with Anthony Lee, Idella Plimpton Kendall Professor of Art History, on a whim to fill my schedule. I wasn’t looking forward to waking up for an 8:30 a.m. art history class, but it turned out to be one of my favorite classes this semester. I've been consistently amazed by the insightful comments of my classmates.

Best takeaway from internship or research experiences: At my internship at UTC Aerospace Systems this past summer, I was able to take an app from an idea to a fully functional prototype. This served as confirmation that software development is the field I want to pursue. The experience also taught me the importance of representation of women in STEM — there is still work to be done in achieving a greater balance in many workplaces.

Favorite Five College experience: I took two Five College classes, one at UMass Amherst and one at Smith College. I was also able to regularly have lunch at UMass with my brother, who graduated from UMass last year, and a childhood friend who started there last semester.

Future plans: I will be working as a software engineer at CNC Software in Tolland, Connecticut.