Outstanding Senior Spotlight: Christina Phan

Early on in her academic career at the University of California, Davis, Christina Phan found that she has a proclivity for problem-solving — not only for herself but also for others.  

Phan, a graduating computer science major and mathematics minor who will move on to work as a software engineer at Walmart, became fascinated with the intersection of computing and education after attending Computing Education Research at Davis, or CERD seminars.  

Since then, she has spent much of her time supporting other students in multiple roles, including student assistant, peer advisor and even a student instructor for ECS 98F, a student-led class dubbed "The Missing CS Quarter," a role she has held since the spring quarter of her first year.  

"Over time, my initial interest in engineering evolved into a passion for computer science and a commitment to continuous learning, collaborative problem-solving, and using my skills to empower others," said Phan.  

As a student instructor, she not only helped bridge the gap between lower-division and upper-division computer science classes, but she also held office hours to help students work through difficult concepts and debug their code. As a peer advisor, she often met one-on-one with other computer science students to guide them in planning their schedules and navigating the major.  

Phan says her time mentoring others has been one of the most rewarding of her time at university. One of her biggest takeaways is learning how to communicate complex ideas clearly and empathetically.  

"These experiences not only showed me that supporting others is deeply fulfilling, but that strong communication is just as essential as strong programming skills in the computer science field," she said.  

Phan says the experiences she deems the most valuable came from following her ​     ​curiosity and being willing to put herself out there, even when she wasn't sure she was fully ready. To those who are not sure what path they will take, she recommends asking questions, pursuing interesting opportunities and taking the initiative to start new things, rather than waiting for the perfect time.  

"The more you explore, the more likely you are to discover what truly motivates you, and that's what will shape your time here in the most meaningful way."