Julissa Pacheco Garcia

Julissa Pacheco Garcia did not always plan to pursue computer science. A single class in high school changed everything, turning a moment of curiosity into a clear path forward.

“I ended up falling in love with it,” she says. “I knew, at that moment, that I wanted it to be my career.”

Pacheco Garcia chose Arizona State University for its strong engineering programs and the opportunity to stay close to home. As a student in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU, she built a foundation that combined academic rigor with hands-on experience. 

Her efforts earned her the Moeur Award, recognizing a 4.00 GPA, along with completion of the Grand Challenges Scholars program, where she gained perspectives beyond traditional coursework. She says these experiences helped her become more open-minded and prepared to approach challenges from different angles.

Her time at ASU was defined by both technical and personal growth. As an Amazon Future Engineer Scholar, she completed three internships where she worked on projects with real-world impact beyond the classroom. The most meaningful moments came at the end of these experiences, when her work demonstrated clear value and made a lasting impact on her teams.

Outside of internships, Pacheco Garcia was involved in Fulton Ambassadors, mentoring high school students as they explored engineering pathways. Through campus tours and conversations, she helped others feel more confident about their future while reinforcing her own sense of purpose. She says those interactions reminded her of her own early uncertainty and the importance of having someone to guide you.

Faculty mentorship also played a key role in her journey. She credits Teaching Professor Farideh Tadayon as an early influence, noting the importance of seeing a woman in computer science early in her academic career. That experience helped shape her perspective on representation in the field and the value of diverse voices in engineering.

“Women’s voices need to be heard in every sector,” Pacheco Garcia says.

After graduation, she will begin a full-time role at Amazon in Tempe, Arizona. As she looks ahead, she carries forward a mindset grounded in confidence and resilience. Her advice to future students reflects that approach.

“Take that leap of faith,” Pacheco Garcia says. “There will always be a million people who tell you you can’t do it, but you just need to believe in yourself.”

Favorites

Hobby: Video games
Performer: Bad Bunny
Movie: Little Miss Sunshine
Book: Anne of Green Gables
Podcast: Rotten Mango

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Aisha Kaddi