From the moment STEM student Taylor Livingston stepped onto campus, she was met with a wealth of opportunities that extended beyond the classroom.
The Class of 2025 grad recounted attending a Cal State Fullerton event welcoming newly admitted students. The experience opened the doors to countless clubs, organizations and resources for the first-year university student.
At the event, Livingston met Beth Harnick-Shapiro, faculty coordinator for WiCSE. The College of Engineering and Computer Science program supports women studying computer science and engineering.
With a broad, welcoming smile, Harnick-Shapiro handed her a flyer and encouraged her to attend a WiCSE — Women in Computer Science and Engineering — meeting.
“That small moment marked a turning point in my college journey,” said Livingston, who entered the university as a computer science major. “Little did I know that joining WiCSE would be one of the best decisions of my life, empowering students like me to explore, lead and thrive.”
Livingston shared that her father encouraged her to major in computer science because of her adept mathematical ability. Yet, she had no idea what the discipline entailed.
“My parents advised me to go to college to acquire skills, emphasizing the importance of choosing skills that would be beneficial in a constantly changing world,” she said. “Keeping this mindset inspired me to explore various opportunities and stay open-minded.”
Livingston challenged herself by getting involved with WiCSE, participating in extracurricular activities and conducting research. She even added business administration, focusing on decision sciences, as a second major.
With her two disciplines in hand, she is exploring career options that bridge technology and business.
“As a student, I’ve discovered much about my strengths, capabilities and aspirations,” she said. “My journey has been shaped by opportunities to build leadership and teamwork skills while applying the technical knowledge I’ve gained through my studies.”
As a WiCSE member and student assistant, Livingston found a support system. She connected with peers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) who shared her struggles and ambition to succeed in a male-dominated computer science field.
Livingston serves as a Titan Ambassador in the Department of Outreach, Recruitment and Orientation, giving campus tours to prospective students and their parents. She also works in the Division of Information Technology and at Starbucks in Mihaylo Hall.
Livingston has made lifelong friends and credits Harnick-Shapiro for nudging her to try new experiences, take risks and step into leadership roles.
“Taylor is a vibrant, thoughtful and compassionate critical thinker who makes the best of every opportunity,” said Harnick-Shapiro, lecturer in computer science.
“She has leveraged resources, developed social networks, mentored peers to build her leadership style and evolved as a true leader to excel.”
As an Edwards Lifesciences scholar, Livingston honed her skills to lead the ECS Diversity and Leadership Summit to foster an environment for mentorship, networking and professional growth. Edwards Lifesciences, the college’s 2024 Corporate Partner of the Year, financially supports WiCSE and four student leaders who organize the summit.
“Leading the summit while balancing a full-time schedule taught me to delegate effectively, think on my feet and guide a team toward a common goal,” Livingston said. “These experiences have shaped me into a confident speaker and leader, unafraid to embrace challenges that push me outside my comfort zone.”
Livingston sums up her college and leadership experiences in one word: Rewarding.
“The chance to meet diverse individuals, engage with knowledgeable faculty, and build a strong professional network has enriched my educational journey immensely,” she said. “I feel prepared and enthusiastic about embracing the opportunities and challenges the future holds.”