Meet Coco

Meet Coco Gao, a first year mentee in the CEAS Peer Mentoring Program, studying Computer Science in the Honors Track. As a passionate cake decorator, Computer Science pulls on both her creativity and problem solving skills. Coco finds satisfaction in being able to overcome challenges in this major, while still staying connected with her peers. 

As a mentee, she has interacted with many of her fellow peers within the program and developed an understanding of what other STEM majors are like. But it doesn’t stop there though, as she is a Hall Council president on campus, iGEM team member, and participates in CSTEP!

Read more about her experiences below in an interview with CEAS Student Intern Janice:

The Interview

Janice: Please include a brief self-introduction, along with a fun fact about yourself.

Coco: Hi everyone, my name is Coco Gao, and I am a first-year student studying computer science on the honors track. I came from upstate New York and enjoy baking, drawing, and learning new things. A little fun fact about myself is that I love decorating cakes. 

Why did you decide to major in Computer Science?  What are you enjoying about this major so far?

I have decided to major in Computer Science because I wanted a challenging program that would be able to teach me the ability to create and incorporate aspects of art through creativity. I enjoy problem-solving and coming up with solutions to problem sets in my major and I find it satisfying to successfully run a program. I also enjoy talking to other people in my major to see what they are doing, including internships, research and extracurricular activities. 

What do you enjoy most about being in CEAS Peer Mentoring Program? In what ways has being a CEAS Peer mentee been helpful to you? 

I have enjoyed the weekly meetings the most, being in the mentoring program. The meetings offered a time to get to know my fellow peers facing similar challenges and see everyone growing to become better students. Being a CEAS peer mentee has taught me how to balance my time more efficiently, exposed me to various campus opportunities that have led me to meet new people. It has offered a platform to interact with other mentors and mentees to get a glimpse of what the life of another STEM major is like. 

What is your experience like as Hall Council president? iGEM team member? CSTEP? What are you looking forward to from your involvement in each of these groups?

My experience as Hall Council president has taught me a lot regarding communication, effective leadership, event coordination, budgeting timeline and team building. I enjoyed the role because I get to help organize events such as Lunar New Year and Werewolfie. I also got to work with RHDs and RAs to gain a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes planning stages and learned from their skill sets that have been helpful. I am looking forward to coordinating the Great Gatsby and Roth Regatta in the upcoming months!

My experience with iGEM is intriguing as we are still in the initial planning stages of the project. I have enjoyed team bonding activities, such as a trip to the hospital and working at the round table for the engineering carnival. We have a very positive and supportive team atmosphere of hard-working individuals, and I am really excited to work with them over this summer and in the fall! 

Participating in CSTEP has made me aware of a broadened horizon of opportunities available, including fellowships and scholarships. Recently, I got paired with a mentor, and I am excited to attend new events together. 

What do you enjoy about CEAS and Stony Brook so far?

I enjoy the vast number of event opportunities, information sessions, mentor meetings, talking to others, and club events. Stony Brook has created so many platforms to help first years navigate their campus lives and opportunities to branch out to new and old interests that have contributed to making my experience here both enjoyable and memorable.  There is still a lot to learn in CEAS and Stony Brook, but I am excited to challenge my horizons.