Student News
Student Spotlight: Clara Brooks
January 31, 2025
While in middle school Clara Brooks took a new computer science course each year and this is where she discovered her love for computing. Her initial interest was in computer engineering, but she ultimately found a perfect fit as a Computer Science major minoring in Cybersecurity and Mathematics.
Although Grand Valley wasn’t her first choice, Clara was drawn in by the university’s honors program and the sense of community she felt during the welcoming days she attended. Now that she is a sophomore, she is glad she chose Grand Valley. “I’m glad I came here I love it so much now. There's a ton of career advancements, great people, and deeper connections to home than I ever thought was possible!” she said.
Other than the amazing sense of community and friendships she has formed, one of the things she loves most about being a Grand Valley and College of Computing student is the supportive environment and the abundance of opportunities to create something meaningful. An example of this is her involvement in the launching of Alpha Sigma Kappa (ASK), a social sorority for women and gender minorities in technical studies/ STEM. “If I went to a different school, I might not have had this opportunity,” she shared.
ASK is set to provide a unique space for its members, blending traditional sorority events like balls, dances and galas with mentorship programs and academic support. It will offer members a unique opportunity to study together, share advice, and benefit from the support of alumni who understand the challenges of rigorous STEM majors. “It will be amazing to have a community that truly gets the struggle of being in a STEM field,” Clara explained.
When asked for advice for new and existing computing
students Clara said, “Being in computing can be intense. Know that
there’s no shame in asking for help. Imposter syndrome is real, but
you’re smart enough, and you’ll figure it out eventually.”
Written by Naomi Sang.