Computer Science Major Credits AAMU and Mentors for His Success

Standout senior Da’Quandalon Daniel is heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, to begin his
post-graduation journey as a software engineer at Wells Fargo. The computer science major from Gadsden, Alabama, received the offer after completing a successful internship with the global financial company last summer.

“I will be creating, supporting, and maintaining software applications that may be internal or customer-facing for the bank,” said Daniel. “One misconception of a software engineer is that every application we work on is customer-facing. Internally, so many applications and tools are created to help those inside the corporation complete day-to-day operations.”

Graduating with a 3.95 GPA, Daniel has maintained a Merit Scholarship throughout all four years at Alabama A&M. His academic excellence is reflected in an impressive array of honors, including being one of the few recipients of the national Splunk HBCU Scholarship, an RTX Scholar through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the Start Now Success Scholarship, founded by AAMU alumna Dr. Yvonne Briggs. He has proudly represented AAMU in national competitions and challenges, while also earning prestigious distinctions such as Apple Pathways Alliance Scholar, and University of California Summer Institute for Emerging Managers & Leaders Scholar.

Daniel has also taken on leadership roles, including serving as president of the Association for Computing Machinery during the 2022-23 school year and, more recently, as the Keeper of Exchequer for the Alabama A&M Chapter, The Gamma Phi of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Daniel’s decision to attend Alabama A&M was fueled by the University’s history and reputation for producing Black engineers. “Alabama A&M University established the first computer science program in the state of Alabama in 1969, which stood out to me. I knew that when I came to the university, I would be setting myself up for future success,” he said. “I knew Alabama A&M was in Huntsville, Alabama, surrounded by many rich engineering talents and opportunities.”

Daniel was also inspired by the mentorship and guidance he received from alumni and faculty. His fraternity brother and mentor from Gadsden, Johnathan Reeves, a 1978 AAMU graduate, played a pivotal role in Daniel’s transition from high school to college life. Reeves pushed him to stay involved and to achieve at the highest level. That mentorship led Daniel to connect with alumna and former employee Ms. Tangela Rutledge, who helped him with resume reviews, mock interviews, and job searches.

“I say all this to say the alumni network at Alabama A&M University was also a deciding factor and made my time on The Hill worthwhile,” said Daniel.

He also reflected on the lasting impact his professors had on his journey.

“I will miss the connections and bond I built with my professors. Especially Ms. Terry Miller and Dr. Ed Pearson from the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences,” he said. “Dr. Pearson and Ms. Miller ensured I had every opportunity to succeed in my department. My first time flying on a plane was with Dr. Pearson on a university trip, where I represented A&M at a STEM competition. Ms. Miller has allowed me to participate in multiple opportunities, such as the Community & College Partners Program partnership with the United States Department of Energy, where I submitted an AI wastewater and management solution to the city of York, Alabama. I truly appreciate them and will miss them so much.”

Daniel has already secured free tuition to pursue an MBA or graduate degree through the University of California system and is looking forward to that next academic chapter. Long term, he plans to launch his own tech startup.

As he prepares to graduate, Daniel reflected on the challenges he has overcome and the pride he carries as a product of Alabama A&M.

“My journey to graduation this semester was not easy. Still, I prevailed and accomplished to my highest ability while ensuring I held true to Alabama A&M's motto of ‘Service is Sovereignty’ and gave back to others,” he said.

“I look forward to being innovative and showcasing the professional skills I have learned during my years on The Hill. Alabama A&M has prepared me to walk into any room, be confident in expressing my ideas, and show that I can add value. As a soon-to-be HBCU graduate, I pride myself on representing how much I am prepared for my professional career. Additionally, this will be my first time living outside of Alabama. I look forward to making connections and beginning a new life in a new city.”