2019-20
Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Mei'lani Eyre
Mei’lani Eyre may be one of the more focused and determined students Cascadia has seen in a long time. She is, and has been, eminently active in her community, has maintained a 3.8 GPA in Cascadia’s new Applied Bachelors in Mobile Applications (MOBAS) degree program, and has dedicated herself to tackling social inequities through technology.
Even from an early age, Mei’lani knew the trajectory of her path. As a high school student in Kirkland, technology captured her imagination – software development in particular. It inspired her to find ways to bring tech-centered skills and careers to underserved communities. She is a founding member of IdeaX Teen Council, a King County Library System volunteer group that writes computer software curriculum for children. She speaks regularly at conferences, in classrooms, and at events. She has worked at Code.org and Black Girls Who Code. More recently, Mei’lani began working with Bothell Library’s Girls Who Code Club where she plans to expand these services to underserved areas in the community. In early 2018, she volunteered with iUrbanTeen, where she expanded access to Seattle’s technology industry for underserved youth.
“I want my future career to be centered around software development, education, and an approach I learned about called inclusive design…. Smartphones are cheaper and more accessible than a computer. This makes them the perfect platform for an inclusive and accessible education product. I hope to develop products that utilize this combination of technology and ideas.”
Mei’lani has experienced her share of challenges. She has lost close friends through tragedy and suffered abuse by people she trusted. Though her professional accomplishments grew each year, her well-being suffered. Over commitment led to exhaustion – and exhaustion to illness. "Keeping busy," she commented, "may be an effective way to avoid your problems, it’s not a healthy approach to resolving them."
“Within two years I felt like a soulless husk… I became isolated and detached from myself and my needs. Connecting with others became a serious challenge. At this point, I had lost most of my support system.”
Mei’Lani reached a point where she could no longer ignore her declining health. She began to see how she had put everything she’d accomplished at risk. She finally began to heed the advice of her doctors. She simplified her life, stopped saying yes to every project, and began learning the art of self-care.
As a recipient of several Foundation scholarships, including the Richard Dakin Award for Cybersecurity Scholars, Mei’lani is deeply thankful for the support and assistance she has received along the way. Teachers, mentors, library staff – just to name a few – formed a network that supported and guided her boundless energy. The financial support she received through the Foundation made it possible for her to continue her studies while getting the help she needed.
As the recipient of the 2019-20 American Association of University Women Scholarship, Mei’lani is back on track – and will graduate with one of Cascadia’s first MOBAS bachelors degrees next year.
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