2023 Graduation

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Celebrating Engineering and Computer Science Grads:
UT Dallas Class of 2023

The final cohort of 2023 graduates crossed the stage on Dec. 18, 2023. During the fall semester, the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas recognized 1,683 total graduates at the University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 and at two Jonsson School commencement ceremonies held at the Activity Center held the following Monday.

“When you earn a college degree, this is often just the beginning of a lifetime of balancing priorities,” said Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, Jonsson School dean. Adams declared the 2023-2024 academic year as the “Year of Balance” in her fall welcome message to students, faculty and staff.

Adams described how balance is a core concept of engineering, reading a poem entitled “Fire” by Dr. Judy Sorum Brown. She said, “It is my hope that through balancing purposeful action and rest, that you will each ignite and sustain a fire and a passion for your work as engineers and computer scientists throughout your lifetimes.”

Student commencement speakers Kenny Nonso BS’23 and Juliana Acosta MS’23 described how they persevered through challenges in order to reach their goals at different points in their lives. Nonso described how he learned to reach out and ask for help, especially when he might have otherwise been derailed by illness. He graduated a full year early, even while working as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Joshua Summers’ laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Acosta returned to UT Dallas as a second-time commencement speaker with wisdom to share, particularly from her time in the workforce. She thanked her employer, Raytheon Technologies Corp., for supporting her goals and described how graduates can benefit from an ethos of hope and humility when they are launching their careers. “Your work, your time and your life matter,” Acosta said. “It’s not about where you start, but how you choose to finish.”

Alexandra Edwinraj MS’23 (center) and family display their Comet spirit with coordinating green outfits. Edwinraj, who studied computer engineering, is joining a company in Boston following a successful internship during the summer and fall of 2023.
According to her family, Annabel Villagomez BS’23 (third from left) has a reputation for hard work in her pursuit of excellence. She proudly wears a First Generation stole along with cords from Tau Beta Pi and a medallion for graduating with Latin honors. “I am searching for a job first, then maybe my master’s degree will be next,” Villagomez said.
Thumbs up! Atmin Sheth BS’23 celebrates earning his degree in computer engineering at the lawn outside the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.
Hagar Mohamed BS’23 (left) and Yusef Alimam BS’23 (right) celebrate two milestone occasions – their graduations and their first anniversary as a married couple. Mohamed studied electrical engineering, and Alimam completed a degree in biomedical engineering.
Isaac Jochimsen BS’23 is now working toward his master’s degree in electrical engineering, focusing on circuits. Jochimsen wears a Veterans National Honor Society stole in honor of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps across the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia and Africa. “Radio systems kept everything going,” he said. “Now I’m interested in constructing and testing camera systems.”
Undergraduate student speaker Kenny Nonso Anyakwo BS’23 lines up with Dr. Joshua Summers, interim associate dean for undergraduate education in the Jonsson School. Nonso Anyakwo previously worked with Summers as an undergraduate researcher.
Merve Apalak PhD’23 (second from right) joins Dean Stephanie G. Adams (center) and family at the University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Apalak continued a family tradition when she earned a PhD in electrical engineering. She also received a schoolwide award in May for her excellence as a teaching assistant.
Samridhi Ganguly BS’23 sports a Computer Science honor society stole along with cords from several organizations including the Society of Women Engineers, a medal from the National Society of Leadership and Success and a stole from sorority Alpha Gamma Delta. Ganguly plans to work in industry following graduation.
Sleiman Safaoui BS’19, PhD’23 (center) joins his family at the University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Safaoui completed his PhD in electrical engineering where he studied interdisciplinary robotics control systems and design.
From left, systems engineering graduates Rooshi Nagar MS’23, Rushikesh Kumbhar MS’23, Karthik Srinivas MS’23, Marie Aboagye MS’23, Niki Powell MS’23, MBA’23 and Tinuola Bolarin MS’23 celebrate following their commencement ceremony. The group has diverse plans following graduation, including positions at Shell USA Inc., the U.S. Air Force and Texas Instruments Inc.

Commencement Student Speakers

Kenny Nonso Anyakwo
BS, mechanical engineering,
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

Juliana Acosta
MS, electrical engineering,
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science

Fall 2023 Graduation Ceremonies

Date	Ceremony Programs	Recording
Friday, December 15	Doctoral Hooding Ceremony	YouTube
Monday, December 18	Undergraduate Students	YouTube
Monday, December 18	Graduate Students	YouTube

Commencement Brights

Dominique James PhD’23

Dominique James PhD’23, pictured with Dean Stephanie G. Adams, graduated from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, then completed her academic career as the first Black and Caribbean-American woman to earn a PhD in bioengineering at UT Dallas.

James was a McDermott Graduate Fellow and GEM Fellow and founded two organizations on campus. She relied upon the support of family and friends to reach this milestone accomplishment.

“My grandmother traveled from Jamaica to be here,” James said. “She has been present for every one of my graduations.”

She also thanked faculty at UT Dallas, including Adams, her dissertation advisor Dr. Shashank Sirsi and Dr. Shalini Prasad, head of the Department of Bioengineering.

Following graduation, James plans to take a much-needed break, then begin her next steps toward a career in the biotechnology industry.

“I want to take the time to find the right role,” James said. “I enjoyed research at UT Southwestern Medical Center where I was able to see how our work directly impacted patients.”

Xavier Hernandez BS’23

Xavier Hernandez BS’23 served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years including deployments in Japan, Montenegro and Senegal prior to joining UT Dallas. He proudly sported a stole from the Veterans’ National Honor Society.

“The Military and Veteran Center was very helpful in transitioning from active duty to a civilian student,” Hernandez said. “I thought about a career focusing on homeland security, then discovered that electrical engineering is more in line with my interests.” Hernandez plans to continue earning his master’s degree in electrical engineering at UT Dallas with a focus on circuits.

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Jean Tchinda BS’23, who completed his electrical engineering degree in fall 2023, works on his UTDesign Capstone project. Tchinda and his team designed a product to move goods autonomously into dorms from curbside stations for sponsor JPods.