Sofia Vargas

Sofia Vargas doesn’t see computer science as just lines of code on a screen. For her, it’s a field where logic meets creativity and ideas can take shape in ways that impact people at scale.

“I chose computer science because it involves a degree of creativity while also being analytical and technical,” she says.

A Grand Challenge Scholar graduating in spring 2026, Vargas earned her bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics from the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. She is a recipient of the New American University Scholarship at the Provost level, the Grace Hopper Celebration Scholarship and the Moeur Award and has been recognized on the dean’s list.

Vargas chose ASU for both its scale and its opportunities. Originating from San Diego, she hoped to step into a new environment and expand her network. The program’s size gave her access to a wide range of experiences that shaped her time as a student.

Through internships with State Farm and Fox Tech, Vargas gained hands-on experience applying computer science in solving real engineering problems. At State Farm, she explored geospatial services and learned how to present technical work to non-technical audiences. She continued building that skill at Fox Tech, where she worked with digital media processing.

Outside of her coursework, Vargas found a strong sense of community and leadership. She served as vice president of industry for the Women in Computer Science, or WiCS, an experience that helped her grow both professionally and personally.

“One accomplishment I am most proud of is my involvement in the WiCS program,” she says. “It allowed me to grow and join a new community of like-minded individuals.”

Her academic journey was also shaped by mentorship. A course with Xiaofan Yuan, a visiting scholar at. ASU, changed how she viewed mathematics and led her to pursue a minor in the field.

Vargas is motivated by the broader impact of engineering, especially in areas like sustainability.

“Our experience as women in engineering contributes to diverse perspectives in a historically male-dominated field, which produces new ideas that promote innovation,” she says.

After graduation, Vargas plans to pursue a master’s degree in computer science at ASU. Looking ahead, she hopes to build a career as a software engineer and contribute to more sustainable approaches in computing.

Favorites

Hobby: Painting
Activity: Snorkeling
Sport: Swimming
Band: The Beatles
Game: Solitaire

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

Written by Aisha Kaddi