Malak Rabuck

Malak Rabuck has always been drawn to solving puzzles and expressing her creativity through building things. Studying information technology provided her with the “perfect avenue to leverage both these skills effectively.”

At Arizona State University, Rabuck balanced her technical and sports passions while pursuing a degree in information technology from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and competing on the women’s ice hockey and club lacrosse teams. 

She knew she was on the right track with engineering when she was able to successfully build and program a miniature self-driving car during her first year at ASU. 

Getting through the challenges of studying engineering is all part of the fun for Rabuck. 

“Despite the exhausting process of troubleshooting, there’s an unparalleled sense of satisfaction when you finally achieve the outcome you envisioned,” Rabcuck says. “The dynamic nature of engineering, marked by constant change and evolution, adds to its inherent enjoyment and keeps the field endlessly fascinating.”

While solving challenges and improving her athletic performance — and earning awards such as the Sparky Award and Most Improved Award — have been rewarding, Rabuck considers her most valuable accomplishment to be the friendships and connections she forged along the way. 

“The individuals I’ve met have inspired me to push beyond my limits and achieve personal, academic and athletic growth I never thought possible,” she says. “The bonds formed with my fellow student athletes are not only significant but also deeply meaningful.”

In the Fulton Schools, the E2 welcome event for incoming first-year students was another place where she made lasting connections with her peers. This led Rabuck to volunteer as an E2 counselor in subsequent years to help others have a positive experience.

“This experience was incredibly fulfilling as I witnessed the profound impact I had on the students around me, helping them recognize and cultivate their engineering potential,” she says.

One of Rabuck’s most influential professors was Tatiana Walsh, an assistant teaching professor of information technology. Walsh inspired Rabuck with her positivity, engaging lectures and making Rabuck feel seen at a school as large as ASU.

Outside of class and off the ice, Rabuck spent many hours volunteering for various community organizations, including food banks, sporting events, fundraisers and more.

After graduation, Rabuck plans to visit her relatives in Egypt before relocating to Boston to be closer to her family and explore her options for the next phase of her professional journey.

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2024 class here.