When Lina enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), she brought with her determination, curiosity, and a clear vision for growth, qualities that quickly set her on a path of academic and professional success.

After arriving in the United States several years ago, Lina worked full-time at a smoothie shop, managing staff and handling payroll while supporting herself financially. Though she was gaining valuable work experience, she knew she wanted more. An education that would allow her to explore her passion for mathematics, computer science, and engineering. NOVA became the place where that vision could take shape.

At NOVA, Lina immersed herself fully in her studies, pursuing associate degrees in computer science and engineering. She enrolled in classes across multiple campuses, intentionally seeking out top professors and challenging coursework. Her dedication paid off as she excelled academically and began building a strong foundation in areas such as machine learning and deep learning, fields she hopes to continue studying after transferring to a four-year university.

Beyond the classroom, Lina actively pursued opportunities that would expand her real-world experience. She secured a competitive internship with Micron, a global semiconductor company, gaining hands-on exposure to the STEM industry and reinforcing her confidence in her chosen path. She also participated in the NOVACOR scholarship program, which funded her attendance at a national STEM conference in San Diego, an experience that broadened her professional network and deepened her sense of belonging in the field.

Scholarships and donor-supported programs played a critical role in Lina’s success. Through initiatives like the NOVACOR program and the NSF Foundation incubator at the Fab Lab in Manassas, Lina gained access to resources, mentorship, and experiences that might otherwise have been out of reach.

“Those opportunities made a huge difference. They showed me what was possible and gave me the confidence to keep going. Thank you donors for supporting programs that help support our goals, ” Lina shared.

Lina speaks highly of NOVA’s supportive environment and the way faculty and staff work collaboratively to help students succeed. She credits NOVA not only with preparing her academically, but also with encouraging her to step into leadership roles, seek help when needed, and take full advantage of every opportunity available.

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