Singley Academy senior Katy Nguyen is gearing up for a double celebration this spring as she prepares for not one, but two graduations. On May 11, Nguyen will graduate from Dallas College, marking a significant milestone as part of the Early College High School pathway. Following this, on June 1, she will don her cap and gown once again for her high school graduation.
What sets Nguyen apart is her achievement of earning an associate’s degree alongside her high school diploma. As a member of Singley Academy's first graduating class to accomplish this feat, Nguyen reflects on the benefits this will bring to her future endeavors. Pursuing an Associate of Science degree has paved the way for her to streamline her path towards a bachelor’s degree in software engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD).
Nguyen's journey towards software engineering was sparked by a desire to improve user experiences, particularly after encountering challenges with a job search website. Her ambition to make technology more accessible has been a driving force behind her academic and extracurricular pursuits.
“I just want to be able to provide access to everyone,” says Nguyen. “Not only that, but with a career in software engineering, it opens access for me to pursue other industries, including the medical field, to potentially be a data scientist.”
Throughout her time at Singley Academy, Nguyen has demonstrated a commitment to leadership and community involvement.
“I chose to go to Singley because of the numerous career and industry offerings but being able to obtain my associate’s degree before graduating high school was a big factor as well,” says Nguyen. “After speaking with friends, I learned that Singley had a variety of student clubs and organizations, along with a more academically inclined focus, and I determined it was the right fit for me.”
From serving as the President of the Collegiate Leadership Club to holding positions in various student organizations such as the Asian Culture Committee and National Honor Society, she has left a lasting impact on her school community.
For Nguyen, Singley Academy provided the perfect environment to nurture her passions and academic ambitions. With a focus on career and industry offerings, coupled with opportunities to engage in a variety of student clubs and organizations, Nguyen found her home at Singley.
As she looks towards the future, Nguyen remains dedicated to leveraging her skills in software engineering to create opportunities for underrepresented communities and explore diverse industries, including the possibility of pursuing a career in data science within the medical field.
