Class of 2023
(She/Her/Hers)
Reginaldo Howard Scholar
Knight-Hennessy Scholar
Hometown: Cornwall, New York
Majors: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science (AI & Machine Learning Concentration)
Minor: Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies
Hobbies: Sydney Hunt is a hard-working, versatile and pun-loving scholar. She is inquisitive, driven, compassionate, and an advocate for women's empowerment and mental health awareness. Sydney is interested in pursuing a technology-based career that improves healthcare systems and supports humanitarian efforts. Outside of school, Sydney enjoys hiking, running, weight lifting, trying new foods, and cuddling with her Morkie.
Why Duke?
Duke has exposed Sydney to a myriad of new opportunities, allowing for great academic and personal growth.
Her interest in research heightened after participating in the ten-week Data+ research experience: Predicting Blindness in Duke's Glaucoma Patient Population. As a Duke eNable Project Lead (3D-printing prosthetics) and Restor3d research assistant (3D-printing medical implants), she unexpectedly found her way towards preparing for a Ph.D. in neural prosthetics.
Sydney's passion for STEM retention and diversity also increased as Vice President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Duke Technology Scholar, and S.P.I.R.E. Fellows Living Learning Community Co-Founder. She became further inspired to close the gender gap in STEM through the National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and Bass Connections Research: Improving Girls' Math Identity through Problem-Solving and Mentorship.
She embodies the Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship characteristics by passionately committing herself to academic excellence, leadership, community service, and social justice. She is involved in the local community as the S.P.I.R.E. Fellows Vice President of Durham and Regional Affairs and CS Sidekicks co-establisher, a non-profit organization teaching and mentoring underserved Durham Public School students in computer science.
Sydney enjoys being the Co-Host and Social Media Manager for This Engineering Life Podcast Series, a Head Campus Tour Guide, Club Outing member, and intramural soccer teammate. She finds tremendous joy mentoring the next generation as a Camp Kesem Counselor, Project B.U.I.L.D. Crew Leader, Hispanic Scholarship Fund mentor, and Blue Devil Buddy.