Outstanding Graduate Nandana Elizabeth gets creative with code
Outstanding Graduate Nandana Shibu Elizabeth is graduating this May with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, honors distinction and a minor in media arts and sciences. Photo by Samantha Chow/ASU
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
“A common misconception is that software engineering is the only career path you can pursue,” says Nandana Shibu Elizabeth. “In reality, there are so many different ways to use a computer science degree, ranging from cybersecurity to data engineering to animation and game design.”
Elizabeth has spent her time at Arizona State University proving exactly that.
This spring, she graduates from the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, honors distinction and a minor in media arts and sciences. Recognized as an Outstanding Graduate, she has combined technical excellence with creativity, global experience and a deep commitment to community.
Her journey has taken her far beyond the classroom, including a summer in Germany as a 2024 DAAD RISE Scholar, where she worked as a UI/UX research intern. The experience, funded largely by a Fulton Experiential Learning Grant, became a launchpad for exploration, connection and growth as she traveled across Europe, collaborated with international peers and gained hands-on experience in design and user-centered technology.
Elizabeth’s achievements are backed by an impressive list of honors, including the Moeur Award, the New American University Scholarship, the Society of Women Engineers Phoenix Collegiate Scholarship, the GEM Environmental Scholarship and the Barrett Community Scholarship, along with consistent placement on the dean’s list.
Through her leadership in the Society of Women Engineers, where she serves as director of public relations, she has helped build a supportive network for fellow students. She also credits faculty mentors Clinical Associate Professor Loren Olson and Instructor Jenny Wong with shaping her academic and personal growth during her time at ASU.
Her technical work reflects that same blend of creativity and purpose. From developing iOS applications and a circular economy marketplace app to researching the impact of community on women in engineering for her honors thesis, Elizabeth has consistently sought ways to use technology to bring people together.
After graduation, Elizabeth plans to gain industry experience before returning to pursue her master’s degree, continuing a journey defined by curiosity, creativity and connection.
“Personally, I want to use the skills I gained from my degree to work at the intersection of technology and media, where I can combine creativity with technical skills to create impactful work,” she says.
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