Quinxie (Quyen) Doan

High school: Quoc Hoc High School for the Gifted

Hometown: Quang Tri, Vietnam

Majors: Computer science; graphic design

Activities: Google Developer Group, HackAugie, Multicultural Programming Board, Vietnamese Student Association 

Internships: Software engineer intern at Stanford Human Perception Lab; AI engineer intern at Ponder; AI project manager at Skimble

Post-grad plans: Heading to New York City to work as a software engineer at Intuit!

Why Augustana?

My first connection with Augustana was a YouTube video of a student skating along the Slough. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, so naturally, the first thing I did on campus was try it myself. I skated straight into the Slough.:)

Beyond that funny experience, Liz Nino and the International Admissions team were incredibly supportive. I committed late after a last-minute change in plans, but they were generous and fast. Looking back, the best decision I ever made.

Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?

When I declared my computer science major, I doubted myself constantly. Was I even smart enough to code? So I threw myself into conferences, hackathons and side projects across the U.S. Along the way, I realized what drew me to CS wasn't the code itself; it was the building, the connecting, the creating.

Now I'm the president of the Google Developer Group and the founder of my school's first hackathon, and I have a full-time offer from a major tech company. Freshman me would not believe it.

Who helped you get to where you are now?

First, my family ... always on the other side of the world, always ready to pick up my call. I worried them a lot, but I can now proudly say I've made them proud.

My friends made me who I am, too. Freshman roommate Sofia and her family adopted me, inviting me to every holiday. My Vietnamese friend group — Hoang, Chau, Zoey, Minh and My — became my safe place. And Paige, when I crashed out after a rejected interview, she walked in, hugged me and made me soup. I felt so loved.

Professor Stonedahl is the one who always has my back. I've crashed in his office countless times, for HackAugie's advice, debugging and job panics. He always trusts me and makes sure I have everything I need. Honorary dad at this point.

And Dr. Randazzo, the sweetest professor at Augustana. Working on research with her changed me. I never saw myself as a math person, but she encouraged me to add a math minor, which taught me that I can do anything if I put in the effort.

Peak experience?

I'd been a hackathon kid for years, chasing big-tech energy at bigger universities. I wanted to bring that spirit to the Midwest, and I couldn't have done it without my team, Imane, Minh, My, Mai, Younes, Ismael, Leroy ... who became my closest friends.

We drew 150 students from 20+ universities, 30+ sponsors and judges. Watching people from every major build something from nothing in 24 hours, then walk away excited about creating, made every moment worth it. The perfect way to end senior year.

What surprised you?

How easy it is to create your own opportunity here. Augustana isn't the biggest school with hundreds of pre-laid paths, but it's genuinely open to change and gives you the resources to chase what you want. When I proposed independent research, my professor approved it on the spot. That flexibility is rare because not every school has it.

How did you use your Augie Choice?

Florence, Italy — the best semester of my life. I was burnt out and struggling before I left. Italy healed me. I'd hidden my art-kid side since college started, but the Renaissance pulled it back out. I learned to let art and code coexist. That's when my work finally felt like me.

What will you miss the most?

The people, most of all. College gives you this rare thing where everyone you love is just there — eating with you, walking to class, showing up at your door. That disappears fast once you enter the workforce.

I'll also miss Augustana's peaceful atmosphere. I've watched every season here: spring flowers, summer birds, gorgeous fall colors. Winter… not so much. But this place gave me space to figure out who I am.

Also, the free gym, pool and dance club. "Just because I can" hits different.

Advice for the Class of 2030?

Try fast, fail fast. If something interests you, do it now. I joined UNYK having never danced, and I was terrible. But Augustana is a sandbox; you can fall without real consequences. And if something isn't working? Let it go. Make room for what matters. That's not quitting, that's growth.