Cynthia Akanaga, 19
Cynthia Akanaga is on her way to being certified as a student skydiver, but up until last year, she thought pursuing computer science would be too huge a leap. Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, Cynthia now attends Mount Holyoke College. In addition to pursuing her degree, she’s served as an organizer for TechTogether Boston and made a splash at hackathons like Rewriting the Code’s Black Wings Hacks, which was organized by previous Major League Hacking (MLH) Top 50 recipient Governess Simpson.
Cynthia's passion for technology and coding began by chance during her first semester of college when she took an introductory computer science course. Despite struggling in class, Cynthia enjoyed the challenge and was drawn to the possibilities that the field offered. She found support and encouragement from other women in technology through organizations like Rewriting the Code, which helped her navigate the tech industry and foster a sense of community. Since finding community, she has been pursuing a computer science degree and is particularly interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She hopes to use her skills to solve real-world problems.
Her first hackathon experience was at Rookie Hacks II, when she realized her potential to learn and grow exponentially. Though Cynthia attended her first hackathon in 2022, she has already served as an organizer for TechTogether Boston. She says she felt inspired to “give back to the community and learn what it’s like to be on the other side.”
She has since strived to create a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups, particularly women in tech. Cynthia has supported her peers by offering support, guidance, and mentorship to women who are starting out in tech. She creates one-on-one connections with others in her hackathon teams, listening, sharing her experiences, and providing advice on navigating the industry. As she says, “I find myself in the midst of a support system I had never known about.” She hopes to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in technology and help them feel confident and empowered.
Cynthia has also strengthened her community by organizing events and hackathons that promote diversity and inclusivity. She states, “by providing a platform for individuals from all backgrounds to come together and collaborate on innovative projects, we can help break down barriers and create a more welcoming community.” She is proud both of her Nigerian heritage and of her positive impact on the hacker community.
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Cynthia Akanaga, 19
Cynthia Akanaga is on her way to being certified as a student skydiver, but up until last year, she thought pursuing computer science would be too huge a leap. Originally from Imo State, Nigeria, Cynthia now attends Mount Holyoke College. In addition to pursuing her degree, she’s served as an organizer for TechTogether Boston and made a splash at hackathons like Rewriting the Code’s Black Wings Hacks, which was organized by previous Major League Hacking (MLH) Top 50 recipient Governess Simpson.
Cynthia's passion for technology and coding began by chance during her first semester of college when she took an introductory computer science course. Despite struggling in class, Cynthia enjoyed the challenge and was drawn to the possibilities that the field offered. She found support and encouragement from other women in technology through organizations like Rewriting the Code, which helped her navigate the tech industry and foster a sense of community. Since finding community, she has been pursuing a computer science degree and is particularly interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning. She hopes to use her skills to solve real-world problems.
Her first hackathon experience was at Rookie Hacks II, when she realized her potential to learn and grow exponentially. Though Cynthia attended her first hackathon in 2022, she has already served as an organizer for TechTogether Boston. She says she felt inspired to “give back to the community and learn what it’s like to be on the other side.”
She has since strived to create a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups, particularly women in tech. Cynthia has supported her peers by offering support, guidance, and mentorship to women who are starting out in tech. She creates one-on-one connections with others in her hackathon teams, listening, sharing her experiences, and providing advice on navigating the industry. As she says, “I find myself in the midst of a support system I had never known about.” She hopes to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in technology and help them feel confident and empowered.
Cynthia has also strengthened her community by organizing events and hackathons that promote diversity and inclusivity. She states, “by providing a platform for individuals from all backgrounds to come together and collaborate on innovative projects, we can help break down barriers and create a more welcoming community.” She is proud both of her Nigerian heritage and of her positive impact on the hacker community.
Quick Facts
Links
