Ariadne Dimarogona

From an early age, Ariadne Dimarogona was curious about how computers work. As a fall 2024 computer science graduate of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, she says she found a creative space to explore her interests and discover herself.

“Computer science is much more creative than I initially expected,” Dimargona says. “It’s a lot of fun getting together with friends to make games or websites and try out any wacky ideas we can make.”

During her time as an undergraduate student, the Grand Challenges Scholar studied abroad in London, England, participated in hackathons, was an E2 counselor, and worked as a Fulton Peer Mentor. She also joined Women in Computer Science, or WiCS, where she served in the mentorship program and as logistics director.

“Engineering is all about having a problem-solving mindset,” Dimargona says. “This mindset is particularly meaningful to me because it empowers me to take a more active role in life and replaces a sense of helplessness with that of agency.”

She found confidence in her skills each time she understood a concept in class and created accurate code.

“The Fulton Schools gave me so many opportunities from the very start,” she says. “Programs like EPICS and undergrad research motivated me to apply what I was learning in a really cool way. I didn’t realize how much I was learning in my classes until I actually started pursuing bigger projects.”

Looking back on her time at ASU, Dimarogona is most proud of her community engagement and the friends she made along the way. She recalls feeling a strong sense of community when participating in a hackathon with a group of friends from WiCS, in which they developed an ultraviolet sensor to remind people to put on more sunscreen.

“It was like a coding sleepover,” she says. “The experience made me feel much more connected with these amazing and talented computer scientists. Some of us met for the first time that day, and we still all offer support to each other in a big group chat. It’s a special experience to feel that kind of support, both when things are rough but also when celebrating our successes.”

She will continue her education at ASU through the accelerated master’s degree program. She plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity.