When Abril Vela was in high school, it was a conscientious school counselor and a stroke of luck that led Vela to her first computer programming course.
Her teacher for that class — who actively worked to ensure that the female students in the class felt like they belonged — helped foster Vela’s love for the subject.
“Having a teacher who cared so much about me is what really made it stick,” the School of Information senior and Chicago native said.
Since then, Vela has tirelessly worked to merge her passions for education, equity and technology.
As the program leader for the Detroit-based Girls are IT! program, Vela coordinated logistics for a one-day introduction to information technology event for 200 girls from Detroit and Southfield schools.
She designed a curriculum for the program’s four-week camp as well, with lessons focusing on topics like computer programming and designing apps.
As a mentor with Detroit-based Merit Goodness, Vela spent two years mentoring Detroit-area students, and at Chicago Public Schools she interned with the district’s Computer Science for All unit, where she oversaw student outreach, led the creation of a student advisory board, managed curriculum pilots and created lesson plans.
At U-M, Vela is the founder and studio co-lead of the university’s chapter of Design for America, a student group that uses design to produce local and social impact. She has worked with team members to design furniture for Avalon Housing residents.
Going forward, Vela hopes to work in the realm of computer science education, providing better access to technical education to K-12 students.
“I’m excited about bringing technology into schools because for me, it showed me how creative you can be,” Vela said. “I’m hoping that by bringing in this type of curriculum or this type of opportunity, I can help other kids realize their full potential.”
