I began to understand the challenges that first-generation college students and students of color have in college.

I wanted to find ways for colleges and universities to become involved with public schools to help young people prepare for college.

In life sciences, we find a reasonable balance between men and women. In engineering and computer science, we have a major problem. A very small percentage of women will be in computer science.

My mother was an English teacher who decided to become a math teacher, and she used me as a guinea pig at home. My father had been a math teacher and then went to work at a steel mill because, frankly, he could make more money doing that.

Rich kids work hard. Most black kids aren't working hard enough.

I began to understand the challenges that first-generation college students and students of color have in college.

There is something exciting about being in an environment in which it's really cool to be smart.