Name: Kānaʻi Gooding
Majors: Computer Science
Class Standing: Senior
Hometown: Waimanalo, HI
Favorite Hobbies: Rock climbing, surfing, hiking, and running
Motto/Philosophy: “Fake it till you make it.”
Post-Grad Career Goal: Project Management
Academic Achievements/Experience:
As the ACM President from June 2020 to the present, I have had the privilege of leading a large and active student organization. I have been responsible for defining the club's goals and strategies based on the influences of the ICS department, employers, and the student body. During my tenure, I have presided over 42 officers in 7 separate organizations, totaling over 500 club members, which represents approximately 86% of the undergraduate computer science population. My experience in managing and maintaining $250,000 worth of club equipment, as well as overseeing the procurement and division of a budget of up to $23,000 per semester, has provided me with valuable experience in financial management. I have also coordinated the production and execution of more than 100 events per semester, including guest speaker presentations, workshops, and hackathons.
In addition to these logistical responsibilities, I have acted as a role model for the junior leaders, providing guidance and support to help them grow and develop their own leadership skills. I have led coaching sessions and workshops to help the junior leaders develop their own leadership styles, and improve their ability to lead, motivate, and inspire others. This experience has been instrumental in my personal growth and development as a leader, and I am confident that the skills and experience I have gained as ACM President will serve me well in my future endeavors." "As the captain of the CCDC (National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition) team, I took on a critical leadership role in preparing and guiding the team towards a successful competition. Through my guidance, the team was able to develop and implement a comprehensive training and practice schedule, allowing us to effectively defend a virtual network against simulated cyber attacks. By utilizing security tools and techniques, and continuously monitoring the network, we were able to effectively respond to any potential security breaches.
My experience as CCDC team captain has been a valuable learning opportunity for me. I have developed strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. These skills have been instrumental in shaping me into a well-rounded individual who can effectively handle complex challenges and drive positive outcomes. I am confident that my experience in leading the CCDC team will be invaluable in my future endeavors and will continue to shape my professional growth and development." As Project Manager for a US Army project from August 2022 to December 2022, I led a team of 5 in conducting research on improved signaling and deterrence methods for helicopter MEDEVAC operations. We applied Lean Design principles, including user research and prototyping, to optimize our design, and I successfully guided the team to completion of the project. Our findings were well received when we presented them to high-ranking military officials, including MG Ryan, CG 25th ID, and BG VanAntwerp, G3 25th ID. This experience allowed me to further develop my leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills, as well as honing my ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment. These skills and experiences will be invaluable to me as I continue to grow and pursue my future endeavors.