When Irene came to the United States from Vietnam seven years ago, she never expected that Northern Virginia Community College would help her discover a passion for engineering.

Initially planning to study computer science, Irene found herself drawn to hands-on engineering through NOVA’s STEAM Club, where she served as vice president, and SkillsUSA, where she served as president and competed nationally in game development and engineering technology design.

During her first year at NOVA, Irene and her teammates placed second nationally in the Interactive Application and Video Game Development category, where they created “Cosmos Diner,” a virtual reality game. In her second year, Irene and two teammates placed third nationally in the Engineering Technology Design category, where they created “Pathfinder,” an addressable fire alarm system designed for assembly buildings.

Another important experience was NOVA’s Product Design Incubator, where Irene worked with a team to develop a game designed to help college students connect and talk about stress and mental health. The experience helped her build confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and product design.

“I really learned how to work with people and how to communicate my ideas,” Irene shared.

NOVA’s Fab Lab also became an important part of Irene’s journey. Having access to tools and technology gave her the freedom to experiment, prototype, and turn ideas into something real.

Scholarship support helped make these experiences possible. As a recipient of the NOVA Core Scholarship, Irene saw firsthand how donor support can help students access programs, materials, and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

“Without NOVA, I don't think I would have discovered that I wanted to pursue engineering. Your support gives students opportunities to explore, build, and discover what they are passionate about.”

Now studying computer engineering at George Mason University, Irene is continuing to build projects, explore new ideas, and find community, while staying connected to the NOVA Fab Lab that helped her find her path.

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