Student Spotlight: Ramon Garcia

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Ramon Garcia was born and raised in the Dominican Republic until he moved to New York at 12 years old, where he still lives now. Ramon has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York University. After graduating from NYU Poly, he worked in the energy sector, electrical engineering, project management, and most recently security technology at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Shortly after starting his career at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Ramon started taking graduate courses at NYU and Columbia University to see what type of program he liked better; he did not enjoy either one. He then began looking for a master's program in computer science that would be flexible for a full-time working dad such as himself, and at the same time, did not drive him to accrue unnecessary debt. After searching and comparing programs, he came across a link to a Wall Street Journal article about Georgia Tech's OMSCS program. He realized that OMSCS “was an answered prayer and a golden opportunity. I knew that Georgia Tech provided a world class education, and the quality of teaching of the faculty is amongst the best in the nation and in the world. I was excited to have been accepted and given this once in a lifetime opportunity.” Ramon loves the flexibility that OMSCS offers. This flexibility enabled him to further his education at a world class university while not having to leave the workforce. Additionally, “Though I am not on campus, the program is built in such a way that there is also a sense of community and engagement. I have enrolled in other online programs before OMSCS, but they did not feel as authentic and engaging as Georgia Tech's OMSCS.”

[OMSCS] was an answered prayer and a golden opportunity. I knew that Georgia Tech provided a world class education, and the quality of teaching of the faculty is amongst the best in the nation and in the world.

So why Computer Science? For Ramon, Computer Science is one of the most innovative sciences. In his opinion, “We are barely hovering over the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in Computer Science." Ramon argues that "there is so much more to uncover and expand upon, in addition to other fields that Computer Science has yet to be applied to. As other sciences and fields continue to fuse together with Computer Science, new computer science models will be formulated. Computer Science is the catalyst for new and bigger inventions to come.” What Ramon loves the most about working with computers is that it allows the mind to explore different ways of visualizing and creating things. Computers are the most versatile and flexible tool one can work with to fit different mental models. This discipline is continuously changing at a fast pace. This dynamic is wonderful and exciting because Ramon knows he will always be learning and doing something new. “It's like playing with new toys all the time but yet having the ability to go back and improve on those creations with the ability to make a better iteration of it.” Besides Computer Science, Ramon is interested in human physiology, health and wellness, energy, and environmentalism. Ramon hopes to work on a project related to AI that tackles real-world issues such as our current energy crisis, and innovative ways of preventing future pathogens from spreading at a large scale.

Though I am not on campus, the program is built in such a way that there is also a sense of community and engagement. I have enrolled in other online programs before OMSCS, but they did not feel as authentic and engaging as Georgia Tech's OMSCS.

Speaking of inspirations, if Ramon could collaborate with any person, “I would have liked to collaborate with Grace Hopper and Nikola Tesla. Both Grace Hopper and Nikola Tesla were humble visionaries that were way ahead of their times. For the present and near future, I would like to collaborate with Dr. David Joyner, Dr. Zvi Galil, Tim Berners-Lee, and Bjarne Stroustrup. Both Professor Joyner and Zvi are bright enthusiastic innovators. In addition, innovators such as Tim Berners-Lee who laid the foundations of the world wide web, and Bjarne Stroustrup who created one of the most powerful programming languages of our time.” As for what his favorite class has been thus far, it was CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction with Dr. David Joyner. Ramon found it incredibly interesting that he was able to incorporate many of the methods and principles used in HCI to pilot new technologies at the World Trade Center.

An interesting fact about Ramon is that he has two young children that challenge him to excel in all areas of his life. Ramon explained that “I am not only pushing myself to excel in my education to accomplish my personal dreams, but also so that my children may see the importance of learning to reinvent and challenge oneself at every stage of life.” To further this love of learning for all children, after graduation, he wants to contribute his time to helping children learn how to code through fun and engaging projects. Ramon is also an avid cyclist and enjoys woodworking, kayaking, and community outreach through his church. Going out into nature and socializing with his family and friends allows him to return to work with a refreshed mindset.