Name: Elise Frazier
Hometown : Charlotte, North Carolina
Major: Computer Science
Concentration: Data Science
Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?
It’s home. As simple as that and even more. It has always been a place that introduced me to the STEM fields, and I could never forget how the Computer Science department would encourage me to foster a diverse community in that field of study. I saw change, and that change would be me. Someone that would see that UNC Charlotte can be a place of growth for me in my college career if I gave it a chance, and I’m proud to say four years later that I am glad I did.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Elizabeth Johnson because not only did she see me for who I am, but her endless gratitude and can-do attitude helped me open a new layer of skills to explore and pursue. I am glad to have her remembered as someone that was encouraging to my field of study and not as someone that made it something I needed to fear.
What are your immediate plans following graduation?
I will be working full-time as an early talent technical associate at TIAA. Also, I hope to become an alumni advisor for the student organization, GirlsWhoCode, that I have been a part of since my sophomore year. I also will continue to participate in outreach opportunities that encourage the younger generation of girls to pursue STEM.
What excites you most about your major?
The sky's the limit on what you can do with your degrees in computer science. It’s a space that invites change and challenges for there to be growth, which I believe any major should encourage because that invites new creativity and innovative ideas to nourish and grow overtime.
What was your favorite or most memorable moment outside of the classroom?
I think my most memorable moment is winning at my first competition with what I have learned in my major. It was one of those a-ha moments like, “This is what I’ve been waiting for,” you know? It was just a great moment to see everything I learned in my classes in action right in front of me. It has made me proactive outside of class.
What do you know about yourself now that you didn’t know before coming to UNC Charlotte?
How fearless I am. I used to be so timid and quiet but the environment UNC Charlotte has given me especially with working at UREC as a brand ambassador helped me come out of my shell a lot. Instead of my personality being shunned away, it is appreciated and accepted by others I interact with either on a day-to-day basis or just passing by.
What is the most unusual talent, hobby or interest you have?
I am very good at lip-syncing! I am actually the infamous winner from the Campus Activity Board’s lip-sync battle in 2018. I would be honored to be introduced by LL Cool J one day on the actual show, Lip-Sync Battle. What a fever dream that would be?
Summarize your Charlotte experience in three words.
Enriching, fun, diverse.
Photo: Jordan G. Estabrook, University Communications