James Wanda

First Major: Computer Science
Second Major: Economics

300 Word Statement

Cur non. This motto greets you when you visit the front page of Lafayette’s website. This motto asks you to be inventive, courageous, and above all else, interesting. It asks you to challenge the status quo and recognize that even when our environment is satisfactory, it can always be better. This motto, and the challenge it brings, is something I kept close while at Lafayette. These ideals formed into two key themes: community and education. As an RA I helped create a closer community for a special interest floor dedicated to gaming, winning an award that acknowledged my community building. I took steps to spread knowledge to those in Lafayette and in Easton by creating a radio show to discuss current events in technology. At Lafayette, we are given the tools to succeed, but what a person with a Lafayette ideal does is use these tools to strengthen our community so that we all can grow further. Along with Dean McKnight, I went to a conference in California in order to gain a better sense on how to create a better experience for black men in college. I worked with friends to create CS Get Help, a support network that allows people to get extra help every week from students who took introductory Computer Science courses in the past. My goal is to share the knowledge I have learned to the Lafayette community. I have spread this knowledge across borders from an interview with the Associated Press on black leadership to my internship and future employment at Google. Each activity I worked on allowed me to disseminate knowledge to others, to create a strong and understanding community, and to help others succeed. Cur non represents these goals and it is what makes me become the Lafayette ideal.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

Posse Merit Based Scholarship 4
The Posse Program selects 10 individuals in the DC area through a rigorous 3 stage interviewing process. Each week for about 7 months we go through training to prepare ourselves for college and the challenges ahead. We also are given the tools to discuss issues like gender, race, and socioeconomic status on a personal level.
Delegate for Computer Science at the President’s Inauguration 1
Each major was asked to send one student who could be viewed as a representative for their major. The Computer Science department nominated me to be their delegate. I was the youngest student delegate at the Inauguration for President Byerly and the only person of Class of 2016 to be selected as a delegate.
Lafayette College Dean’s List 1
I was on the Deans list during Fall of 2012 and Fall of 2016.

Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

Association for Computing Machinery 3
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a club that has focuses on computing. I restarted this club in order to create a better community for the CS community. Internally we have provided additional help for internship interviews, resume reviews, and discussions for students. During my tenure as president we created a networking night for anyone who was interested in CS. Our large scale events range from a trip down to Washington, DC for the USA Science and Engineering Festival to trips to Lutron to understand how a workplace in tech can look like.
Resident Adviser 3
Resident Adviser to the Tabletop Roleplaying Appreciation Program (TRAP). Created events that ranged from trips to Easton to visit stores related to gaming to community events and discussions. At the end of my first year as RA I was awarded the Community Builder award for my efforts.
CS Get Help 2
Each week students in 100 level Computer Science courses could come in for extended help with students who had taken the course before. This allowed people who were unsure about a class but didn’t want to commit to a tutor to get extended help from students who had been in their position. This group still runs today and works closely with the Computer Science Department.
WJRH Board 2
Helped maintain a functional website on WJRH and provide input on the website.
CS 150 Student Observer 1
Helped provide weekly feedback and input with the CS 150 professor on how to create a welcoming and successful environment for students.
Speaker for XLC Students Day 2
I spoke to 200 Marquis and Posse Scholars at a breakfast in Spring 2015 congratulating the accepted students on their award and inspiring them for their time at Lafayette. In 2016, I spoke to one thousand accepted students about my own narrative in the hopes of inspiring them and encouraging them to come to Lafayette.
Google Student Ambassador 1
Provided tools and opportunities for people to use tools already provided by Lafayette like unlimited online storage. I also created an event that allowed Google recruiters to talk about the process to become an intern or a full time employee. Worked close with IT and Google in order to provide the best support for the students at Lafayette.
IT Advisory Board 1
Worked with John O’Keefe to give input on how IT could better serve the Lafayette Students.
CS Tutor 1
I was a tutor for a student for Computer Science 104.
CS 104 & CS 150 Lab Assistant 1

Community Service – Total Years Involved

Hello World – Radio Show 2
A weekly radio show that summarized what happened in technology industry. Done with 3 other people we create news that is relatable and understandable to the Easton community.

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

Software Engineer Intern, Google 1
Worked with the Google Play Newsstand team to create experiment with new platforms news could be delivered This app was bundled with every Android phone for over 2 years. I also created code that would be delivered to over hundreds of millions of people.
Intern, Noblis 2
Worked on creating features for the company’s facial recognition system. / In my second year, I worked on FAA’s “Next-Gen” system that will create fast and fuel efficient flights. Worked on reducing flight tracking compute time across systems by over 90%.
Bits and Pixels – Radio Show 4
A radio show specifically for video game music. Each week I explored new aspects of video game music and the reasons behind each composer’s decisions.
Anime Club 2
I was president for one year and Vice President for another year. Would help facilitate weekly gatherings to watch and discuss shows.
Student in Lafayette College Capital Campaign Video 1
I was asked to support Lafayette by participating in a video shoot and interview for the board of trustees and for the Capital Campaign.
Compliments 1
An app on the Google Play Store that displays a new compliment every time you tap the screen. It was created in order to promote good feelings to anyone who is having a bad day.