Cohort 3
Parker Hendrick
Chemical Engineer, Eastern Research Group
Parker graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. He currently works at Eastern Research Group as a chemical engineer. His work includes environmental consulting as a contractor to the EPA.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"Not having to worry about the financial burden of college let me focus on school work. It also allowed me to meet a great group of people many of who I’m still good friends with."
Kevin Lizarazu-Ampuero
Kevin is a graduate of the Virginia Tech Computer Engineering Program. After graduation, Kevin took a gap semester to create projects and look for employment before begining work on a Masters of Engineering degree.
Personal Impacts of Clark Scholars Program
"Being a part of a small community where we can learn and support one another was immensely valuable as it compelled us to succeed and drive us to have a positive impact in our community through leadership, service, and networking. Going on to the future I hope to be able to network with the larger Clark cohorts outside of Virginia Tech and develop something valuable and strong as we live on A. James Clark's legacy."
Rodney Okyere
Graduate Student, Virginia Tech
Rodney graduted from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Applications. Currently, he is a graduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science and Applications. His current research includes the field of Human-Computer Interaction under Dr.Sang Won Lee's Echolab.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"The Clark Scholarship allowed me to pursue everything and anything I wanted at Virginia Tech without much worry. I was also provided with resources, opportunities, and connections that I was able to utilize during my undergrad that have positioned me for success in graduate school."
Araceli Cabrera-Ortuno
Computer Engineer, NAWCAD WOLF
Araceli graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Engineering. She currently works for NAWCAD WOLF as a computer engineer. In her role, she supports the U.S. Navy and governmental work.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"The Clark Scholarship was fundamental in my development as an engineer and is the reason I was able to succeed both academically and professionally."
Naylle Pando
Systems Engineer, MITRE
Naylle graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. She is currently a systems engineer at MITRE, a government contracting company, in McLean, Virginia. Naylle currently works on 5G networking for government applications.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"I've been able to hold a great support system with Clark Scholars and it’s provided such a relief in the financial stress that further education can have. I’ve been able to meet so many people passionate in my field and other engineering fields and make life long connections."
Nathan Stanley
Lead Mechanical Testing Engineer, L3Harris
Nathan graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He currently works for ManTech as a Test Engineer II. He is the lead Test and Evaluation support contractor for the OPF-L program under Marine Corps System Command. His current work is oversight of the overall test program for the three OPF-L loitering munitions systems.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"Being a Clarck Scholar has greatly improved my abilities to network and lead large group efforts for extended periods of time. The Clark program put me into foreign situations where I was forced to think critically and make decisions on the fly. I learned valuable lessons in networking and introducing myself to people who were in positions of power with confidence, and the importance of utilizing everyone's strengths when trying to lead projects."
Kien Tran
Software Engineer, NIWC Atlantic
Kien graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Computer Science. He currently works at NIWC Atlantic, in the Washington, DC - Baltimore area as a software engineer. His research focuses on how to develop artificial intelligence to enhance cybersecurity policies.
Personal Impact of Clark Scholars Program
"I felt like I was part of a very close knit group that I could count on, people that I could easily reach out in any step of my life and pick up where we left off."