Making an Impact

Pursuing a college education can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. As a high school student, Angelina Do took a computer science class, which reignited her passion for coding that she developed in middle school.

However, she didn’t always know what field she wanted to pursue. Her interest in computer science happened after her father suggested it as a major. “I was still unsure,” she says. But after taking a class with Teaching Assistant Professor Robert Doxey (M.S. ’22), it solidified her decision. “If I hadn’t taken his class, I would’ve transferred out of the computer science program.”

Throughout her life, Do has had the support of family and friends to help guide her through challenges. “My friends and sister keep me motivated to push through the difficulties,” she says. “I find that periodically spending time with them helps me re-regulate to do the best I can.”

With her focus in place, Do is able to stretch her legs and pursue challenges outside the classroom. She is the president of the Association for Computing Machinery on the Long Island campus and became an engineer in the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) in 2025. “I wanted to get involved with the ETIC because I believed it was the best opportunity to build upon my skills and get experiences that I couldn’t get anywhere else before entering the workforce,” she says.

When she began working in the ETIC, she was focused on learning mobile application development. “Now, I’ve become more involved in other projects and am collaborating with my colleagues,” she says.

Do is currently working on a mobile app platform project that aims to develop a prototype of a technology to help millions of children with stuttering. The project is in partnership with GreenLight Enterprises, Inc., a startup founded by former NBA player Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. (Learn more about the project.)

These types of real-world experiences offered through the ETIC give students a competitive edge. “I feel that my ETIC work is preparing me for my future career, to help me gain the skills I need to succeed in the workforce, such as a wide range of technologies, software development, adaptability, attention to detail, and collaboration,” she says.

Do hopes to carry those skills to a career in cybersecurity. She is drawn to this field, motivated by the challenge of staying ahead of evolving threats and protecting people’s data. She hopes to continue learning and growing in the field while contributing to secure systems that users and organizations can trust.

“What excites me most about my future is the chance to keep growing, take on meaningful challenges, and build a career where I can apply my skills to make a real impact,” she says.