Computer Science Graduate Finds Confidence, Community at UCM

Computer Science graduate student Vamshi Raoulakola will graduate with his master鈥檚 degree during Spring 2026 Commencement.

 

Countdown to Commencement

The 欧美视频 offers a community of support, allowing students to redefine what鈥檚 possible as they forge a path to their future. With help from faculty and staff, UCM students are empowered to be the heroes of their own stories and as we prepare for Spring 2026 Commencement, the News Bureau is shining a spotlight on some of those stories.

 

When Vamshi Raoulakola steps across the stage at the 欧美视频鈥檚 (UCM) Spring 2026 Commencement, it will mark the end of a journey that began with a first step onto a two-day trip from India and led him to a master鈥檚 degree, a new community and the next chapter of his career.

Originally from Hyderabad in India鈥檚 Telangana state, Raoulakola came to UCM in August 2024 to build on his professional experience and pursue a master鈥檚 degree in Computer Science.

 

鈥淚 was looking for three things,鈥� he said. 鈥淨uality of education, the environment and cost. UCM had all three, along with professors doing strong research in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing. I knew I could grow here.鈥�

That growth began soon after he arrived, though not without uncertainty. Traveling to the United States meant leaving home for the first time and navigating a two-day journey with connecting flights.

鈥淚 was nervous,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had never lived away from home. I didn鈥檛 know how people would be or what to expect.鈥�

Those concerns eased quickly.

鈥淭he first thing I noticed was how welcoming everyone was,鈥� he said. 鈥淧eople would smile, say hello and ask how your day was. It made me feel like I wasn鈥檛 alone. It wasn鈥檛 just the university, it was the whole community.鈥�

That sense of belonging grew through his work and relationships on campus. Raoulakola served as a student worker within UCM鈥檚 Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC).

鈥淚t felt like a part of the family,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he staff and faculty here really care. They understand the challenges students face and help guide you through them.鈥�

 

Chris Young, IMC鈥檚 director of digital marketing, has high praise for Raoulakola: 鈥淰amshi hit the ground running in our office and never looked back. Even as a student worker, his classroom and real-world experience made him stand out as a valued member of our team. Beyond that, his winning personality left a lasting impression with everyone in our office.鈥�

In the classroom, Raoulakola said faculty helped him connect theory to practice while preparing him for the job market.

鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 just teach concepts,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey showed us how to apply them, how to approach problems and how to handle real-world situations. That changed the way I think.鈥�

 

鈥淚 had the pleasure of teaching Vamshi in my Advanced Database Systems class in 2025,鈥� said Khomsun Singhirunnusorn, Ph.D., assistant instructor of Computer Science and Software Engineering. 鈥淗e was a dedicated and proactive student who consistently engaged with the material and excelled in class assessments. I was particularly impressed by his interest in modern technology, specifically his work on integrating large language models with database applications.鈥�

During his time at UCM, Raoulakola built a portfolio of projects focused on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, completed an Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification, and participated in regional hackathons, including the Midwest Hackathon.

鈥淭hese experiences helped me build skills that matter,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey also gave me the chance to meet other students and professionals and learn from them.鈥�

Some of his most memorable moments came outside the classroom. Campus activities that brought together students from different countries, along with attending his first American football game, helped him adjust to a new environment.

鈥淚t was all new to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven simple things became meaningful because I was experiencing them for the first time.鈥�

After graduation, Raoulakola will begin an internship working with cross-functional teams on distributed systems, cloud deployment and AI-driven tools using languages such as Java and Python.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a chance to apply what I鈥檝e learned and keep growing in the field.鈥�

Looking back, Raoulakola said his time at UCM shaped him both professionally and personally.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about earning a master鈥檚 degree,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about how you grow as a person. I鈥檝e learned how to handle challenges, how to think differently and how to keep moving forward when things feel uncertain.鈥�

As the first member of his family to pursue a graduate degree abroad, that experience carries added meaning.

 

鈥淚f I look back at the person who first came here, I think he would be surprised,鈥� Raoulakola said. 鈥淏ut he would also be proud.鈥� He now describes UCM as a second home. 鈥淚t helped me grow professionally, academically and personally,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 know I made the right decision coming here.鈥�

As he prepares to begin his career, Raoulakola said the lessons he gained extend beyond the classroom.

鈥淚t taught me to find solutions, even when things seem uncertain,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I鈥檒l carry with me wherever I go.鈥�

 

       

Check the News Bureau daily from May 4-8, as we share stories of UCM graduates who are redefining what鈥檚 possible and shaping the future, one step across the stage at a time.