CTC Role Spotlights: Executive Board
Written by Kaylee Doliente, Gayathri Yedavilli, Emmy Chen
As week 0 draws closer, Commit the Change is gearing up for a successful school year. Our dedicated executive board is working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a smooth start when school starts back up. Learn more about the team driving our mission forward.
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Kaylee Doliente
Hello there! My name is Kaylee Doliente, and I’m a rising third-year Informatics (HCI) major from San Diego. I’ve been a part of CTC since my second year when I first joined as a designer. I joined CTC during my second year because I wanted to join a community with the same mindset as me, and I also wanted the opportunity to create tangible projects for non-profit organizations. At the time, I had worked on small-scale projects, but I was eager to dive into more in-depth, year-long projects that would allow me to learn even more than before.
When I joined CTC, I was met with an extremely inviting community where everyone was eager to learn and help each other grow. It’s with CTC that I met some of my closest friends and made the funniest memories — whether it was bonding over Cholo’s Tacos runs, the W volleyball season, or going on late-night hikes. I never could have expected to be as tight-knit to my team, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This closeness and the incredible sense of community we built fueled my passion to become President. I wanted to give back to CTC and make sure that others could have the same awesome experience that I had.
My experience with CTC has definitely helped me professionally. Interviewers are impressed with how I’ve been able to be a part of a cross-functional team, and that I’ve been able to work directly with stakeholders. Specifically as a designer, I’ve been able to gain experience in the end-to-end design process, as well as working within a group and individually. CTC pretty much gave me all the tools I needed to succeed in the professional world, whether it be hard skills such as wireframing, or soft skills like communication. I thought I had known a lot about design through my previous side projects, but CTC really made my portfolio, as well as my skills, more concrete.
I also of course had the incredible opportunity to learn from my seasoned lead and collaborate with the chillest team of designers. This was also the first time I was able to see my designs turned into code and used in real-world applications, which was extremely fulfilling. One of the highlights of my experience was seeing the smiles on our NPO partners’ faces when we presented our designs to them, which is a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my career.
Being a part of Commit the Change has been the most rewarding experience, and I’m so grateful to continue contributing to this amazing community as President!
Gayathri Yedavilli
Hi! My name is Gayathri, and I’m a rising third-year majoring in Computer Science and Business Information Management. Coming from the Bay Area to Irvine as an undeclared first-year, I initially felt lost amidst everything at UCI. However, joining CTC was one of the best decisions I’ve made during my time here.
I started in CTC as a designer, expecting to gain new skills and professional experiences. What I didn’t anticipate was forming some of my closest friendships through the club. The people I’ve met have not only supported me socially but have also consistently pushed me to excel academically and professionally. From tackling sprint tasks and enjoying hikes to sharing meals, my experience with CTC has been incredibly rewarding.
I’ve also had the privilege of learning from my project leads, gaining valuable tips for applying to internships, and building lifelong friendships. Over the years, I’ve held various positions within CTC, including designer, developer, Marketing Director, and now Internal Vice President. Each role has taught me so much, and I’ve seen significant growth in both my soft and technical skills.
I never miss an opportunity to discuss my experiences at CTC in interviews, as they’ve been instrumental in shaping my career. The skills I’ve developed — working in an Agile environment, technical proficiency, and effective cross-functional communication — have been invaluable, even in my internships.
But honestly, beyond the skills and accomplishments, it’s the unforgettable moments — like sprint meetings that turn into karaoke nights and impromptu boba runs — that make CTC truly special. Here’s to more memories, growth, and, of course, all the experiences that make every project worth it!
Emmy Chen
Hi! I’m Emmy and I’m a 3rd year Computer Science student at UC Irvine. I joined Commit the Change as a freshman, not knowing a thing about web development and eager to learn anything and everything. My first year with CTC was challenging and discouraging at times, as I navigated the difficulty of learning the new languages thrown at me while barely knowing how to code. However, with the patience and support of my teammates, I was able to finish each task smoothly until eventually I found myself relying less and less on their mentorship. I became more and more confident in my abilities to adapt, learn, and apply my new-found knowledge.
I hold CTC very close to my heart because of our dedication to upholding our core values — especially community. The bond we form with our teams is unlike any other — as we learn about our projects and struggle through the design and development process, all while learning more about each other, recording funny quotes, and celebrating each other’s successes. I found myself wanting to do more for this community that became so precious to me, motivating me to take on the role of Outreach Director last year, and now External Vice President!
CTC is a great place to find like-minded and ambitious students who will challenge and support you. I know I’ve found close friends here that I’ll cherish for the rest of my college career and longer. They’ve pushed me to reach further and higher than I ever would’ve on my own. At almost every interview or networking event, I find myself being asked about my experience at CTC. It’s truly such a rewarding experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Thank you Commit the Change! I’m excited to serve as your External Vice President for the 2024–25 school year!
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Commit the Change is a UCI student organization dedicated to delivering high-quality software solutions to nonprofit organizations free of charge while giving students the opportunity to hone their technical and soft skills.
If you’re interested in applying, please keep an eye out for our application that opens Week 0 of Fall Quarter 2024–25.
Find out more about our projects and club on our website and Instagram!
