May 13, 2021—South Carolina native Kaylin Moss ’22 transferred to Marist during her freshman year. She was drawn to the Hudson Valley because of Marist’s unique IBM Joint Study and the college's proximity to New York City. Throughout her time at the College, Moss has taken a leading role in the very organization she transferred for and also established the Marist chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): she currently serves as president. Moss is a stand-out computer science student driven to increase diversity across software development as well as fashion—another passion of hers.

What made you want to come to Marist?
Kaylin Moss: My mom suggested I transfer to Marist College after she received a Marist flyer in the mail. The IBM Joint Study was a driving factor because I recognized it was an incredible partnership unique to Marist. I was looking forward to growing my professional network and gaining work experience before graduation. A secondary factor for transferring was Marist’s location. I also liked the College’s proximity to New York City.

Tell us about your involvement with the Joint Study.
KM: I became involved with the Joint Study right away. During my sophomore year, I worked in the Joint Study as a project manager intern from June 2019 - May 2020. My typical workday consisted of scheduling meetings with IBM software developers, designers, and managers, documenting system architecture, and conducting research. My project, Trusted Identity, leveraged IBM software to propose digital student IDs as an alternative to physical student IDs. After auditing current Marist software and pain points, we learned that we could expedite the college’s identification processes. Our solutions decreased costs while also improving students’ experiences. It was a challenging project, but I had plenty of chances to have fun with fellow interns. Some of my favorite memories were touring the IBM site in Poughkeepsie, and volunteering at the Enterprise Computing Community conference. I interned with IBM as a front-end developer in the summer of 2020.

Kaylin Moss (third from left) and other Marist/IBM Joint Study students visit the IBM office in Poughkeepsie, NY.

You recently were awarded the Gumbo Coalition scholarship and the Zillion Women in STEM scholarship. Tell us more about these honors.
KM: The Gumbo Coalition University Mentorship Program is sponsored by Resorts World Casino. It is based on Marc Morial’s book The Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons That Help You Inspire, Unite, and Achieve. The program includes a scholarship and participation in an intensive six-week virtual mentorship program to hear from prominent authors and speakers from all over the nation. I am so thankful to become and Gumbo Coalition scholar! As for the Zillion Women in STEM scholarship, I applied to help offset my transportation costs, books, and other school expenses. The scholarship has allowed me to focus on NSBE and finishing my computer science degree.

You started Marist’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. How did that come to fruition and what does it mean for you to have that be a part of your legacy at Marist?
KM: I am extremely proud to have founded NSBE, especially during a pandemic. Edwin Forson ‘20, who I met in the IBM Joint Study, had the idea to charter the organization his senior year. I was going to help him with NSBE by serving as vice president. However, the onset of the coronavirus postponed the club’s charter. Organizations like NSBE are pushing the Marist culture forward. I am happy to finish what Edwin started, and have a lasting legacy at Marist.

What are your plans for NSBE in the future?
KM: I am excited to grow NSBE and help as many students as possible! NSBE is collaborating with many other Marist organizations, including the Computer Society, Math Club, and Asian Alliance, and hosts both professional and social events. We are also partnering with local organizations such as the Liberty Partnerships Program and Newburgh Early College High School to encourage prospective Marist students to join NSBE.

You’re incredibly involved in the Computer Science department, but you also seem to have a passion for the fashion industry. Can you elaborate a little on that and your work during the Center for Multicultural Affairs’ Cultural Fashion Show?
KM: I’ve been modeling since 2018 to increase diversity within the fashion industry. The Cultural Fashion Show showcased the variety of cultures at Marist, with apparel coming from students, faculty, and staff. The garments represented heritages from different parts of the world. I modeled a Ghanaian gown in the event. Outside of Marist, I have been featured in magazines and photoshoots to dismantle traditional, European-centric beauty standards.

What are your plans after Marist? What would be your ideal work environment?
KM: My dream job has collaboration and creativity at the core. I gravitate towards front-end development and user experience design careers because they require input from other designers, programmers, and software users in addition to a love for design. My ideal company is mid-sized and near the beach. I enjoy exploring new areas, thus I am seeking opportunities outside New York and South Carolina.