Isaac Mativo

Hometown: Kenya  

B.S., Computer Science
Honors College Certificate

Plans: University of Maryland, College Park, Ph.D. Computer Science
Programmer, Computer Science Corporation

 

Why did you choose to attend UMBC?
The strength of the Computer Science program was definitely a factor. Other important factors I considered include: best value for the money, The Honors College, sense of community/belonging exhibited by the UMBC family, opportunities of research and co-op in my field of study, availability of both day and evening classes.

What are your future goals or dreams?
I see information technology as a tool with enormous potential to improve the lives of those in developing countries. I want to return to Kenya and help reform the educational system. Although there are many good things about the system, the structure does not show students how they can apply what they learn to enhance progress and make a real difference.”

In Kenya, Isaac -- the son of a retired school principal and a teacher -- and his friends organized a mentor program for boys ages 10 to 25. The support network helps them study together, perform community service, etc.

Isaac is currently a programmer at Computer Science Corporation and a Ph.D. student at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Faculty mentors who made a difference:
I was inspired by Jay Freyman and his honors seminar on liberal education. At UMBC I have had the opportunity to meet students who see beyond college life and are motivated to use what they have learned to become better citizens.

Extracurricular activities:
Presidential Advisory Board, Honors College Advisory Committee (one of two students), African Students Association, Computer Science Council of Majors, Peer Advisor, member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICCAN), student member of IEEE (Computer Society) and ACM (Association of  Computing Machinery), presented research papers in 3 national HCHC conferences, Golden Key Honors Society (involved in volunteer activities), Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computer Science Honor Society, worked on campus (ECS Help Desk) and off-campus on internships, e.g. at Computer Sciences Corporation and Chevy Chase Bank.