21 Under 21 Series: Tsion Elizabeth Coulter

Hometown: Holly Springs, NC

Major: Computer Science; Minor: Cognitive Science

Currently serving as the Events Coordinator for the Organization for African Students’ Interests and Solidarity (OASIS), the Co-founder of the Young Ethiopian-Eritrean Tribe (YEET), and as a Student Admissions Ambassador for the UNC Computer Science Department, Tsion plans to start her own organization that provides computer science education to youth communities in Ethiopia, after working with a private company in cybersecurity.

“As a Black woman in STEM, I am used to the shock and surprise when people learn that I study computer science. Through my experiences at UNC I have come to realize the importance of having black and female representation in STEM fields- most especially in the ever growing areas that involve coding and in depth understanding of how to use computers as a tool for progress.

This understanding motivates two of my extracurricular passions: serving as a Computer Science Department Ambassador, and being an academic tutor for elementary & middle school students. Being an Ambassador allows me to add color to the face of the Computer Science Department and break down stereotypes about what coders can look like. Being a tutor allows me to inspire the next generation of students of color to get early exposure to computer science. I do all of this work in hopes that in the future, no one is surprised when they say, “I am a black female in STEM.””

What is your proudest accomplishment at Carolina?

“Spearheading a photo campaign movement called #HACKTHECULTURE with the help of friends and the UNC CS department to showcase the diversity that exists within the computer science field.”

“My first year I remember many upperclassmen advising me to think about what I want my Heelprint to be. I took that to heart and used my first year to search for what I’m passionate about outside of my major. Now a junior, I believe I can say that my Heelprint will be the creation of a space for people to embrace and educate others about their language and culture.”