2020 18 of the Last 9 honoree
Kettering, Ohio
B.S. in Art
Developer, Sparkbox
Catherine builds responsive websites up and down the stack, focusing on enterprise-level JavaScript applications and design systems. Catherine has a strong passion for education and works closely with the Sparkbox Apprenticeship Program. She’s a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA) and leads the “Accessibility Task Force” at Sparkbox. Catherine’s other hobbies include reading, video games, tabletop games, drawing and making cat jokes.
Facts about Catherine
First-year residence hall: Tappan
Did you live off campus? If so, what was your house name?: I lived in three different Oxford Rents studios.
Favorite place to eat on campus?: Hot Scott! I still remember Tuesdays were Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza day!
Favorite place to eat Uptown?: Bagel & Deli or Skippers, or both!
Favorite thing to order at Bagel & Deli?: Szczerbiak is the only right answer, though I’d have a Messy Katie from time to time.
Were you involved with student organizations? If so, which ones?: MEGA (Miami Electronic Gaming Association) was my heart and took up most of my time, first as founding treasurer (2009) and later as vice president. I was also involved in National Art Education Association, and I attended the Leadershape Institute as a rising senior.
How would you summarize your Miami broomball career?: I was on many teams who were desperate to meet co-ed requirements. If I stayed standing the whole game, it was a victory!
Favorite place to study?: MET Quad when it was warm or by the Shriver fountain. I also remember drawing nearly every night in the Tappan basement as a first year and moving into the warm, comfortable painting studios in the Art Building in later years.
If you could be introduced to any Miamian in your field for networking and/or mentorship purposes, who would you like to meet?: The right answer is Marne Levine, whose position at Instagram would surely open doors. I’d also love to work with Katie Lee on a personal or Food Network website, as that would combine my love of cooking with my love for the web.
Memorable Miami concert, guest lecturer, etc?: Lecture Series does such a fantastic job bringing in talented, memorable speakers, but I think my favorite event was when AfterDark brought in Frank from PostSecret to speak.
Favorite Miami tradition?: Charter Day Ball!
What do you miss most about Miami?: I miss the opportunity available at Miami. There was so much to do and see. I had access to numerous cultures, brilliant people, and amazing art. It was so difficult to be “bored” on campus. After graduating, I’ve had to work much harder to make connections, meet friends and find experiences outside my comfort zone.
What Miami moment most influenced or continues to influence your life today and how/why?: When I was a freshman I was allowed to take a computer science course to meet my math/science requirement. And then I loved it so much I took another. And another. And now I build websites for a living.
Favorite quote?: "Our home is where we are. Our place of origin is not relevant, only where we choose to go together." - Legion, “Mass Effect 2”
One thing you would change about your college experience?: It's so funny that even though my career has landed in a wholly different field than my major, I am not sure I would have found my way to the same place without a background as an education major. I was asked to be part of Girl Develop It because I had teaching experience, not because I had coding experience. So while it makes sense from a career standpoint to wish I had majored in computer science or interactive media, I am not sure I would have turned out the same. As a freshman I briefly entertained the idea of switching my major to geology/gemology after an extremely memorable class with Dr. John Rakovan. I sometimes wonder how life would be had I done that. But overall, if I could change just one thing, I think I would like to have focused on a foreign language, namely Spanish or Arabic or Italian or French or Japanese; any language other than English would expand my worldview quite a bit.
What advice would you give to the incoming first-year students of the Class of 2024?: Say yes as often as you can. Miami offers so many amazing opportunities and experiences that you can only find during college. Once you leave, focused on work or family or whatever your future holds, it becomes more and more difficult to take the time to go out of your comfort zone. I greatly regret things I said no to, such as an Honors trip to see the 2008 inauguration of President Obama, or choosing to study abroad. I regret absolutely nothing I said yes to at Miami. I was a founding officer of a student organization. I spent a chilly November in New Jersey watching an entire mountain glow underneath blacklight. I discovered my strengths at Leadershape Institute my last summer before graduating. Say yes!
What have you learned in 2020?: 2020 has been quite a year, and it's not even over! This year I have learned how important it is to be gracious and kind, as everyone is going through something difficult every day right now. I know we will get through this as a country, and when we do, I sincerely hope that the empathy, grace and kindness humanity has shown endure well beyond the present crisis.