My name is Raveen McKenzie, and I am a junior at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) majoring in computer science and mathematics. I chose MVSU because I attended the Women In Science and Technology (WIST) conference on its campus where I received an academic scholarship.  While attending the conference, I consumed numerous amounts of information about college, different types of sciences, and many learning styles as a woman in science and technology. As I started my studies, I realized that computer science gives me a chance to think broader and different from any other way that many people think. Also, as I completed my third semester as an undergraduate student, I acquired a desire to obtain a degree in mathematics, along with computer science. Throughout my studies, professors offered unlimited help, which has also made me become more enthusiastic about continuing my education in computer science and mathematics. With all the help, motivation, enthusiasm, and inspiration, I am excited that I chose my desired major in the Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS) department.

In the MCIS department, all of the students are always being urged to apply for internships, go to tutoring sessions, hold study sessions, visit the professor’s office, check on your grades, and more. It was my obligation to do all those tasks because it is a necessity for me to obtain the utmost education possible and to be more confident in my field of study.

I was accepted into the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) at Elizabeth City State University (ESCU) in the summer of 2014. My project focused on the Pasquotank Watershed. The purpose of this particular research was to study the water quality between various waterways, and to compare the results with earlier research that was completed. The name of the project was “A Comparative Study to the 2011/2013 Water Quality Assessments in the Pasquotank Watershed in Northeastern North Carolina”. This research involved numerous amounts of fieldwork and in-house testing. In the fieldwork, the team tested for air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, turbidity, clarity, and dissolved oxygen. Also, samples were collected for in-house testing. This in-house testing included conductivity, salinity, pH, and total dissolved solids. These tests were conducted twice for six waterways, and then compared with past tests to determine whether there was a difference and its reasons.

During the 2014 – 2015 academic at MVSU, I participated in a research project with Jackson State University. My project focused on a mathematics application called Wolfram Mathematica and the Lorenz Strange Attractor. The purpose of this project was to create 2D and 3D figures and animations using mathematical functions and coding. The name of this project was “Progress in Integrating Technology in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics at HBCUs Program at Jackson State University”. During this research, small exercises were conducted to gain a better understanding of the concept of mathematical figures in Wolfram Mathematica. Focusing on the Lorenz Strange Attractor, there were two types of mathematical equations, with three equations of each type, which created two different figures. Further research was conducted to figure out what caused these dramatic and chaotic changes based on the equations and meanings. After analyzing and researching what could cause these changes, then different values were used to observe the changes with the same equation. This project will be further studied in the coming academic year of 2015-2015.

In the summer of 2015, I returned to Elizabeth City State University to conducted with REU CReSIS. Along with research, I participated in python, C++, and TeraScan training. All of which provided basic information and techniques. The name of the project was “A Corresponding Study of Water Quality Evaluation in the Pasquotank Watershed in Northeastern North Carolina”. This project focused on the water quality of the Pasquotank River Watershed. This year’s study consisted of comparing this year’s test results to the previous years to determine any consistency, variations, and visual data analysis offline and online. The test factors and water sources from the 2014 project were the same factors for the 2015 project. Through the study, it was concluded that the lowest score came from Sawyers Creek and the highest score came from the Lower Pasquotank.

After earning my Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, I plan to further my education to earn my Master's Degree and Doctoral Degree in Computational Engineering. After completing my education I plan to pursue my career as a computational engineer. I also plan to continue with studies in the computer science field because technology continuously changes. I also want to be able to inspire students in a way that they will make the best choice like I did with majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.