Aryan Kancherla is a junior from Oswego, Illinois, studying Computer Science + Education with a concentration in Learning Sciences at the University of Illinois. His longstanding interest in technology inspired him to pursue it as a career. In addition to his coursework, Aryan works as a software engineer for the Gies Disruption Lab, where he uses modern technologies to develop solutions to real-world business challenges.
Aryan chose the University of Illinois and the College of Education’s Computer Science + Education program because of their unique emphasis on integrating technology with other fields of study. His interest in learning technology grew in high school, when he worked alongside a professor to create an educational tool that taught students the fundamentals of data science. He enjoyed both the technical process of building the application and the challenge of designing it to be effective for learners. When researching the program, its focus on digital learning environments, psychology and real-world software applications confirmed that it was the right fit for him. Looking ahead, Aryan hopes to join an EdTech company to learn how large-scale educational technologies are created and eventually use those experiences to build a learning platform of his own, fulfilling his goal of using technology to make a positive impact on society.
“I am truly grateful to be receiving the Bonnie Anderson Seiler Scholarship,” Aryan writes. “Since joining the Computer Science and Education program, I've been fascinated by how digital environments are designed to teach, especially the unique design decisions that keep students engaged in learning. This interest drives me to pursue a career in EdTech and potentially build my own educational tools that help young learners develop a passion for learning. Overall, this scholarship helps me realize that my goals are worth investing in. It motivates me to dive deeper into my coursework and explore how I can utilize technology to make a difference in the field of education.Thank you so much for investing in the next generation of educational technology, and thank you to Bonnie Anderson Seiler for her impact and influence on education technology.”
Keith Slaughter, LAS ’75 Individual Plans of Study, established the Bonnie Anderson Seiler Scholarship to honor a valued colleague and recognize the profound influence she had on his life. The endowment supports undergraduate students in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis on learning sciences and a preference for Illinois residents. Its connection to the university’s distinctive CS + Education collaboration makes the scholarship especially meaningful, helping prepare students whose work bridges computing and education.
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