Kalpa Tharuka Semasinghe

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

Being a First-Generation College Graduate is especially important to me because my parents left their home country for this very purpose. When given the opportunity to drop everything that they had built for our family in Sri Lanka, there was not a second thought about making the move to the US. The education opportunity for me and my sister was placed at the highest level of their priority list when deliberating this pivotal life decision. Thus, for me and my sister, attaining our Bachelor's Degree is one of the most important steps of fulfilling the dream that has guided us this far.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

My proudest moment at UCSD was the transitionary time I had where I learned how to properly achieve academic success through adequate work habits and an internalized desire to learn the curriculum that was presented to me. Until this moment, I faced difficulty in maintaining focus and allocating the necessary amount of time needed to fully grasp the content of my coursework. When I finally learned how to learn, my college experience transformed into an enlightening experience from which I wished to never depart. I hope to carry this motivation with me for the rest of my life.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Without my family, I would not have been able to complete this journey. They are the backbone of my life. I began my college career with their backing and I am grateful for their undying support that some may not have had the privilege of having. I look to my parents and my sister as a shoulder to lean on and will continue to do so for any and all future endeavors that may come my way. I hope that this graduation will bring them their due share of happiness for the challenges they have always supported me with.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

I would like to thank the Warren College Residential Life Staff (particularly Adriana Campuzano for being one of the most kind-hearted and wholesome individuals I have met in my time at UCSD), Professor Mark Anderson and Professor Bahadori for the crucial roles they have served in my development both personally and academically. You all have enhanced my college experience by providing an environment for me to grow and learn. The knowledge, wisdom, and skills that you have imparted in these brief 4 years will resonate with me for a lifetime.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

When I was about 7 or 8 years old, a family friend took me to a visitor day at NASA JPL in Pasadena. I fell in love with Space Exploration on that trip. This fascination grew alongside my passion for engineering ultimately drawing me to Aerospace Engineering as my desired path in college. Shortly after graduation, I will be working full-time for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway. I hope to pursue further education possibly in the field of Machine Learning. One day, my dream will come true and I will work alongside those who are actively reaching for the stars and serve a role in helping the human species become multi-planetary.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• President of AIAA

• Member of Sri Lankan Student Association

• Producer at TritonTV

• RA Community Coordinator at Warren College Residential Life