Growing up in Birgunj, Nepal, Northern Kentucky University computer science major Manogya Aryal always knew she wanted to study abroad, particularly in the greater Cincinnati area, where many of her family live. Though she weighed a few options, NKU eventually won out in her college search.

“My cousin actually went to NKU, so I had a full connection to the school,” she says. “I knew it had a great community, as well as some things about the classes and professors, thanks to him. It seemed like a great fit, so I trusted my gut.”

Four years later, Aryal believes she made the right choice. Studying computer science at NKU, she’s managed to attain valuable professional experience, leading to a full-time role at MassMutual Ascend, a Cincinnati-based annuity provider. As a sophomore, she landed an internship in software quality assurance before moving on to interning with the software development team. In her final semester, the company offered her a full-time role as a software engineer. 

Her interest in the field dates back to high school computer science classes, which instilled a passion for computers. 

“I had a few options for majors when I was deciding what to do,” Aryal says. “I even had architecture on the list. But I got more inclined toward computer science just looking through NKU’s programs and talking to my family.”

In addition to her major, she also minored in honors and data science. Many of her favorite classes took place within the Honors College: “They all come with a surprise,” she says. “You never know what kind of class you’re going to get in the Honors College.”

From her first semester at NKU, Aryal found herself immersed in a close-knit campus community, fostering personal connections at the front desk in Campus Recreation Center or building relationships with professors. Her favorite NKU memory, however, is meeting her boyfriend, who is also from Nepal, on campus three years ago. 

To Aryal, winning the President’s Award feels like being recognized as a part of the same community that made her own time at NKU so special.

“Feeling like I contributed to it and feeling like faculty and staff thought that I contributed to it—that’s really awesome,” she says.