Samantha O'Connell blends a background in the arts with tech expertise to push the boundaries of coding. With extensive experience in art, animation, computer science, and engineering, she is an accomplished hacker who has made a unique impact on the tech community.

Samantha's passion for technology and coding began when she was a child, in part because of her interest in video games and desire to create her own games. In high school, she participated in an after-school program at the School of Interactive Arts/Urban Arts Partnership, where she learned a variety of programming languages, including C++ and C# within Unity. 

She later enrolled at Borough of Manhattan Community College, where she persevered despite having to change her major from Engineering to Liberal Arts. Thanks to the guidance of a professor, she discovered hackathons and attended the Virtual Make-A-Thon for Social Good in 2020. Since that event, her technology expertise has blossomed, and she’s been invited back to BMCC to speak on a panel for current students. 

Samantha was initially hesitant, but her experience at that first hackathon proved to be transformative. She discovered a welcoming community of like-minded individuals who shared her passion for technology and coding. She says, “I really enjoy hackathons because we're all people from different walks of life, casually teaching each other how to better ourselves [and] gain insight we may never have known otherwise.”

Since her first Major League Hacking (MLH) experience, Samantha has attended four hackathons and won two awards, including winning the 2021 BMCC Virtual Make-a-Thon for Social Good and Best Use of MATLAB at HackNYU 2023. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition in the NYU tech community and have helped establish her as a dynamic leader.

Samantha is not just a talented coder, but also a dedicated and continually involved member of her community. She belongs to 50 different clubs, is a club leader, and holds three chair positions on the student council at NYU SPS. She is also a member of the Alumni Council for the Governor's Committee on Scholastic Achievement, where she helps high school students achieve academic success. Samantha's desire to help others extends beyond her extracurricular activities. She personally created a 181-slide presentation to help students engage with NYU, providing them with valuable information about programs, scholarships, and educational resources.

Samantha's achievements are a testament to her hard work and dedication to her craft. She is constantly pushing herself to learn more and take on new challenges. Her passion for technology and coding, along with her desire to help others, has made her an inspiration to many in the tech community. She sums it up, “I am a positive member of the community, always encouraging people to try their best, try something new, or just try in general. I've personally connected one-on-one with many hackers, organizers, and mentors.” As she continues to pursue her MLH and hacking passions, it is clear that Samantha will be an integral part of her community and will inspire others to do the same.