IS student Emi Swinford is making a positive cultural impact on UAH’s campus
By: Curtis Venetta
Emi Swinford entered college with simple expectations: to get good grades, make friends and earn her degree in four years. Since her first year, however, she has embarked on a journey that has made an impressive impact on campus.
Early in her college career, Swinford founded the Asian Cultural Association (ACA) on The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) campus. She had a mission to bring cultural awareness and education to UAH’s campus, and the ACA does just that, as well as serve as an outreach for other Asian students on campus.
“Because of my adopted background, I felt as if college was my chance to find others who looked like me,” Swinford says.
Swinford and three of her roommates formed the ACA after discovering a network of students who were just as excited to connect with others who looked like them.
Swinford is also involved with Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) like the Entrepreneurship Club and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE).
She is also the Lead Admissions Ambassador, a position in which she guides prospective students, providing program information to them and their families. Simultaneously, she is a Lancer for the Office of the President and a College of Business Ambassador.
Swinford’s on-campus jobs have been central in helping her further develop leadership and professional skills. As a Lancer and College of Business Ambassador, she provides a range of educational and social events for her fellow leaders and students from diverse industries.
Last semester, she started working as a Research Assistant II at UAH’s Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE), contributing to her technical and analytical skill set. In this position, Swinford has gained hands-on experience designing data extraction solutions and working in project management.
“I have yet to reach my full potential; there is so much more for me to learn,” Swinford says. “I have gained valuable experience through my involvement on campus. I cannot thank everyone I have encountered throughout my academic career and professional development enough for all they have taught me.”
Across her many accomplishments, Swinford has managed to adapt to various work environments and better her communication, leadership and technical expertise. Finding a community on campus through her founding of the ACA and involvement with other RSOs has significantly impacted her career goals, confidence and ambition.
UAH Senior Administrative Assistant Vangie Harris nominated Swinford for The Top 20 award.
Harris says, “Emi is one of the most hardworking and involved students that I know. She loves UAH and it shows in all that she is involved with. I could not think of someone more deserving to be included in the Top 20.”
Swinford attributes her growing sense of identity and belonging to her life experiences both in and out of the classroom. She says, “These experiences have taught me resilience, empathy and the importance of diversity and inclusion — qualities that I carry with me in all aspects of my life.”
Now, she is working toward completing her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Information Systems and Cybersecurity at UAH.
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