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BRISTOL, R.I. – Senior Cassidy Methot arrived at �������츣��һ�� from Londonderry, New Hampshire, intending to pursue Engineering. But after taking an introductory web development course, she discovered her passion at the intersection of Computer Science and Graphic Design.

“Initially, I was an engineering major, hoping to specialize in human factors engineering. After I took an Intro to Web Development class, I realized that at the intersection of Graphic Design and Computer Science, there was user experience and user interface designing, which is similar to human factors engineering, and it drew my interest in.”

By the end of her sophomore year, Methot transitioned to a double major in Computer Science and Graphic Design, with a minor in Mathematics.

She said the combination of disciplines has allowed her to approach problem-solving from multiple perspectives.

“I've taken a variety of technical courses, such as math classes, coding classes, but I've also taken very artistic and creative classes. With Graphic Design, you focus on how to make the user experience intuitive and efficient. With Computer Science, you get the technical background to design and develop this.”

Throughout her academic journey, Methot has found mentorship in faculty members, including Associate Professor of Computer Science Sonya Cates and Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Communication Denielle Emans, who have helped guide her path.

Beyond the classroom, Methot is deeply involved across the university community. She is a member of the Honors Program and Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and participates in the Computer Science & Scripting Club and Graphic Design Club. She is also active in the performing arts as a member of the Just Dance Club and Drastic Measures A Cappella, where she serves as a soprano leader.

Her involvement extends even further: Methot plays Ultimate Frisbee, participates in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers – where she has served as liaison and secretary – and is a member of the Art Club and Asian American Alliance, where she is the public relations chair. She also contributes to Engineers Without Borders and works as a mail center employee.

In addition to her campus involvement, Methot has completed two study abroad experiences that expanded her global perspective.

Her first took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2024 through the course Special Topics in Psychology: Understanding Youth, Risk, and Resilience Through the Lens of Northern Ireland.

“I learned about different peace building efforts that they're doing to try to unify the community and get people to be more peaceful in society. I think it was really important because it's something that we could take into consideration to build a more peaceful society.”

In July 2024, she traveled to Japan as part of a Global Studio experiential design and education course, visiting Tokyo, Yokosuka, and Shimoda while collaborating with community partners.

“This experience was big on strengthening the friendship between Japan and the U.S., which was especially important to me, because my family is from the island of Okinawa, Japan. I thought that it was really cool that I got to go there and see the different ways that we could strengthen the friendship,” she said. “We met with the mayor of Yokosuka and Shimoda, we had dinner with a city council member, and we went to an elementary school. We combined all our different graphic design projects and made gifts to give all of these different community hosts.”

During the trip, Methot was selected as the group’s “speech giver,” delivering remarks in Japanese to thank community partners.

Across her academic, extracurricular, and global experiences, Methot said she has developed a strong appreciation for collaboration, feedback, and community-building – particularly through her work with Engineers Without Borders.

“I have been working with this group for several years on constructing a bridge to be donated to the Barrington Land Conservation Trust in Rhode Island after their previous bridge was destroyed in a storm,” she said. “Here, I learned a ton about working as a team and viewing things from different perspectives.”

After graduation, Methot plans to pursue a career that integrates both graphic design and computer science, focusing on user experience and interface design.

She encourages prospective students to embrace continuous growth.

“Never stop learning and looking for ways to grow your skills and expand on your passions. Even if you know a lot already, there's always people that you can learn more from, new skills you can learn, and ways to expand on your knowledge to become the best version of yourself.”