Student Stories
Meet our student Executive Board for the 2022-23 academic year!
Tammy Chen, ’24
Graduation Year: 2024
Program: 6-14: Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science
Trajectory: NYC --> MIT
Co-Chair, Alumni Connections Committee
I am a first-generation and low-income student at MIT studying CS and Economics. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY and being raised by two immigrant parents, it has taught me a lot about resilience and I hope to continue through life with that mantra.
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Keaten Clarno, ’23
Graduation Year: 2023
Program: 24-1: Philosophy
Trajectory: Sutherlin, Oregon --> MIT
Co-Executive Director
I was born and raised in a rural town in Southwest Oregon, always dreaming of escape and traversing some big city and higher education. Higher education and moving far away from "home" (a term hard to define) were never thought of in my family, but I wanted to make some drastic change for myself and for my family. And, now, here I am!
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Crista Falk, ’23
Graduation Year: 2023
Program: 6-9: Computation and Cognition
Trajectory: Idaho -> Boston
FLI Mom
I was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and moved to Boston in 2019 to attend MIT. I am a Questbridge scholar and a first generation college student. I'm interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience and currently work in an MIT lab studying computational models of motor control. In my free time, I play the oboe in musical groups such as the MIT Wind Ensemble and Video Game Orchestra. I am also passionate about FLI advocacy and representation on campus and currently serve as co-director on the executive board of FLI@MIT.
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Eren Shin, ’23
Graduation Year: 2023
Program: 6-7 Computer Science and Molecular Biology; 9 Brain and Cognitive Science
Trajectory: Long Beach, CA -> MIT
Communications Director
I am a Questbridge scholar and first-generation/low-income student originally from Long Beach, CA. At MIT, I'm interested in exploring the intersection between computer science, neuroscience, and biology. In my free time, I like playing the cello, listening to music, learning new languages, and reading books.
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Kanokwan Tungkitkancharoen ’25
Graduation Year: 2025
Program: 2: Mechanical Engineering and 17: Political Science
Trajectory: Las Vegas → MIT
Co-Executive Director
I grew up in a funny town. Vegas is as wonky as you’d expect for a kid, but that taught me a lot. Having lived in both a very vanilla house of suburban sprawl and a downtown home that once belonged to a drug lord, I saw clearly who was getting what out of the city. It flashes glamour, fun, and lights—but that’s only for those that can afford it. I watched people have fun from a far distance while growing up. Sure, I lived next to the beloved tourist attractions, but I didn’t experience them.
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Asal Vaghefzadeh ’25
Graduation Year: 2025
Program: 6-9: Computation and Cognition
Co-Chair: Community Programming Committee
Music, Painting, Poetry, Anthropology
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