Code@TACC alumni receive scholarships to pursue higher education and career goals
By Damian Hopkins, TACC
Congratulations to the outstanding third cohort of Susan Fratkin Scholarship recipients on this well-earned honor.
In May, selected Code@TACC alumni gathered with their families and TACC staff to celebrate the third year of Susan Fratkin Scholarship recipients. In recognition of their academic promise, five students received scholarships to assist with higher education expenses.
“We are excited to be a small part of these students’ success stories, seeing most come in as high school freshman in 2022 and now watching them graduate,” said Dawn Hunter, director of the NSF LCCF Visitor Center, who oversees TACC summer camps. “As they grew into both excellent students and confident near-peer mentors, they are now ready to empower the next generation with their technical skills. I am excited to see where their college experiences take them.”
Sue Fratkin—the scholarship’s namesake—is a renowned ambassador for high performance computing (HPC) workforce development. For 26 years, Fratkin served as executive director of the Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC). Founded in 1989, CASC is an educational nonprofit organization with more than 105 member institutions representing many of the nation’s most forward-thinking universities and computing centers.“Kids are growing up in a world that’s vastly different from the one I grew up in,” Fratkin said. “We hope this scholarship serves as a stepping stone, helping recipients build the skills essential for a successful and impactful career.”
These scholarships were made possible through the generous support of private donors and CASC, the fund’s premiere sponsor.
“In an era where the cost of higher education continues to climb and pathways into STEM careers can feel uncertain, the Fratkin Scholarship is a message that these students belong in HPC,” said CASC Executive Director Kathryn Kelley. “We are honored to support Code@TACC alumni rising to meet this moment with curiosity, determination, and talent because their success underscores the power of early investment and community belief in their potential.”
Jayda Smith, a student at Texas Empowerment Academy, joined Code@TACC as a camper in 2023 and returned in 2024 as a camp leader. A member of the class of 2025, Jayda plans to pursue a degree in Education with a specialization in Computer Science at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
“The Fratkin scholarship demonstrates that someone supports my goals in higher education,” Smith said. “Being a scholarship recipient and getting to meet Sue Fratkin has been an uplifting experience.”
“I signed up for Code@TACC Robotics in 2022,” said LBJ Early College High School graduate Derrick Hudson, who will study Zoology at The University of Houston. “I had no idea that I’d be a scholarship recipient all these years later, so this recognition means the world to me.”
Since 2015, TACC’s flagship Code@TACC camps have empowered more than 700 students—many from economically underserved communities—by providing hands-on STEM experiences. Hundreds of alumni have continued to pursue post-secondary education in STEM, turning early exposure into lasting opportunity.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities provided by the Fratkin scholarship and would love to award it to more students,” said TACC Deputy Director Kelly Gaither. “These kids earned this award thanks to their hard work, and you can see what being recognized means to them.”
Full List of Recipients and Post-Secondary Enrollment
- Salem Aleman, Austin Community College
- Moia Barrett, Stephen F. Austin
- Steven Brown, Houston Christian University
- Karina Gonzalez-Martinez, The University of Texas at Dallas
- Derrick Hudson, The University of Houston
- Angelo Jeong, Prairie View A&M
- Candace Ndekelengwe, Brandeis University
- Kennedy Newbell, Centre College
- Joshua Recinos Marroquin, Austin Community College
- Jayda Smith, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Want to make an impact? Visit the Susan Fratkin Scholarship webpage to support scholarships that help Code@TACC alumni pursue their academic and career goals.