LLAMA LEGACY: NAVIGATING THE CS WORLD WITH POISE, PASSION, AND FEMALE INGENUITY

KAREN SALCEDO-SANCHEZ

In the heart of the bustling tech hub at Neumont College of Computer Science, a rising star is making waves with her determination, passion, and ingenuity. Meet KAREN SALCEDO-SANCHEZ, a dynamic student who is breaking barriers in computer science as a proud first-generation college attendee.

FROM MEXICO TO GREENVILLE, SC

Originally born in Mexico, Karen moved to the states as a young child where she grew up in the city of Greenville, South Carolina. She continued to celebrate her heritage by being a part of a Cumbia dance program and regularly volunteered for cultural events in her local community, a habit she has continued throughout college. Karen has been a part of multiple clubs and volunteer events including Women in Tech Club, Spectrum Club, Esports, Student Activities, and works for the Neumont Marketing Department. 

DISCOVERING THE LOVE FOR CODE: A JOURNEY TO TECHNOLOGY

Karen’s introduction to computer science occurred in middle school when she enrolled in a Gateway to Technology class. It was in this class that she first delved into block coding, the foundational language of computer programming. The opportunity to create her own video game lit a spark within her, setting her on the path to pursue a future in technology.  

Karen’s journey in STEM took a significant turn when she enrolled in the General Electric Girls program. Immersed in the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, she gained valuable insights into a number of STEM careers, including in the medical and technical fields. This experience broadened her horizons and ignited her determination to carve a niche for herself in the tech industry.  

But it was here, at Neumont College, that her journey into the world of computer science truly began, fueled by a desire to explore the endless possibilities of tech. Currently, Karen is paving her way into the tech industry through a Bachelor's Degree in Technology Management with a focus in Data Sciences. She envisions starting her career as a business analyst to gain hands-on experience and implement her knowledge before ascending to the coveted role of a data scientist specializing in artificial intelligence.  

CHOOSING NEUMONT:  A PIVOTAL DECISION 

Karen’s journey in the male-dominated tech industry comes with its own set of challenges, but she faces them with resilience and determination. Growing up in a family of all girls, she not only carries the responsibility of being a woman in tech, but also a woman of color. This familiar pressure motivates her to excel, setting an example for her sisters and proving that success knows no gender or ethnicity.  

As the previous Vice President of Neumont’s Women in Tech Club, Karen actively contributes to creating a supportive community for women pursuing careers in technology. She recently attended SheTech, an event where networking with fellow women in the industry left a lasting impression. The camaraderie among women in tech, Karen notes, is unparalleled, as they unite with a common goal—success for all; a belief she intends to share amongst other young females. 

BUILDING A LEGACY: EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS 

Karen’s involvement in the Women in Tech Club has been a source of great satisfaction. From witnessing the club’s inception to playing a pivotal role in its growth, she has found a community that resonates with her goals and values. Post-graduation, she is exploring opportunities to join Women in Data Sciences Worldwide, further extending her reach into the world of tech enthusiasts.  

Karen Salcedo-Sanchez’s story is not just about navigating the tech landscape; it’s about breaking barriers, inspiring others, and leaving a legacy that echoes the power of passion, perseverance, and a touch of llama magic in the world of computer science. As she continues her journey, Karen exemplifies the spirit of a true Llama Legacy at Neumont College of Computer Science.

School: The Hardest RPG in Your Life

Gamers and educators, brace yourselves, because “School: The Hardest RPG in Your Life” has arrived on the scene!

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RPG

The RPG (Role-Playing Game) genre has evolved significantly over the years, with many titles focusing on epic adventures, fantasy worlds, and complex character development. This team of creators took players to the familiar but often challenging environment of school. 

Rather than battling dragons or exploring mystical realms, players must navigate the trials and tribulations of student life. Your goal as the player is to battle your way through math tutors, choir, band students, and homework to avoid mandatory summer school. From attending classes to socializing with classmates and even dealing with teachers and assignments, this game includes a multitude of student life perspectives. Choose to relive your school days or experience something entirely new. 

When developing a game in a short 10-week timeframe, you’re bound to encounter significant hurdles creating cutscenes. With the help of a cutscene creation package, the team created specified cutscenes that were time-intensive but completely necessary to unfold a storyline. “School’s” cutscenes featured everything from storytelling and “game over” scenes to credits and tutorials. 

HUMOROUS AND RELATABLE STORYLINE

One of the standout features of “School” is its witty and often humorous narrative. The game doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the quirks and challenges of the educational system. From overbearing teachers to awkward classmates, the characters in “School” are designed to be relatable and entertaining.

UNIQUE GAMEPLAY

While “School” is undoubtedly a game designed for entertainment, it also offers some educational value. The gameplay combines elements of decision-making, time management, and strategy. Players must balance academics, social life, and their character’s well-being. Will you choose to be a straight-A student, a social butterfly, or perhaps a troublemaker? The choice is yours, and it leads to multiple branching storylines and outcomes. 

“School: The Hardest RPG in Your Life” is a refreshing addition to the world of gaming, offering a unique blend of humor, satire, and relatability in an educational setting. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and lighthearted gaming experience, “School” has something to offer.

So, if you’re ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the ups and downs of student life, “School” awaits you, for free, on Steam.

BITSY

The Itsy Bitsy Spider … Destroyed A Tiny Spaceship

Indie games have long been celebrated for their unique and unconventional approach to storytelling and gameplay, and “Bitsy” is no exception. Developed by Neumont Game Studios, this unassuming title stands out as a testament to the power of simplicity in gaming. See why Bitsy is a must-try game for anyone seeking a different kind of adventure.

THE GOAL

Instructed by the Neumont Llama, you must infiltrate the ship and collect specified items while also battling artificial intelligence in order to sabotage the enemy.

A World of limitations

Bitsy’s most distinctive feature is its constraint-based design. With a time constriction of only 10 weeks and taking the developing team’s inspiration of Tron, Bitsy was created to encourage exploration, conversation, and reflection. The not-so minimalist visuals forced the creators to rely on symbolism and abstraction, creating a unique and immersive storytelling experience. 

You control a small character, a robotic spider, who moves through a series of interconnected rooms that serve as bite-sized narrative vignettes, offering small glimpses into the creative minds of the game developers. What’s impressive is the ability to move the spider, not just along the floor, but along the walls and ceilings. To do so, the team decided to create a camera from scratch instead of using Cinemachine, a tool commonly used for game development. Developing their own camera means they  could control all components and angles of the camera’s direction. For example, when the spider jumps on to the wall, the camera rotates so that you are now looking at the room sideways, but you do have the ability to rotate your camera in the angle you wish to see through. This camera process took a full 10 weeks to develop.

DETAILS, DETAILS, DON’T FORGET THE DETAILS

The dev team embraced simplicity while pushing the boundaries of what is possible to achieve their goals within the constraints of a 10-week deadline. Some creators spend years crafting entire worlds with interconnected stories, while others focus on a single room that tells a poignant tale. Bitsy’s detailed lighting primarily uses real lighting as well as visual assets to include detailing in the floors, walls, lasers, and many customizations. Every pixel feels deliberate, and the specified color palette adds to the game’s unique atmosphere.

Another very important detail that the team chose NOT to overlook is the use of Procedural Animation. When playing, pay attention to the spider’s ability to step off of an object with one ‘foot’ on the floor and another still on the previous object. The range of motion is more natural and realistic giving the game depth. How did the team accomplish such detailed animation? Lots and lots of calculations. This process took roughly 80 hours of dedicated time to accomplish. 

Whether you’re an aspiring game creator or simply someone looking for a unique gaming experience, Bitsy, alongside all other Neumont Game Studio games, are well worth your time. 

Play Bitsy for FREE on Steam!

RAGS TO LICHES

Sometimes we all just want a little peace and quiet …

Begin your journey as Raemond, a farmer, looking for a quiet place to settle, which sounds like a simple task. But in this world, your enemies refuse to let you live peacefully. This is not your typical storyline, you’re not fighting off demons and dragons, there is no ‘save the princess’ dialogue, or winning the war. And just when you begin to advance, the game throws you a curveball! Goodbye farmer character, hello Liches. You are now a lich in the game and everything just got harder… 

Neumont Game Studio

As part of Neumont’s Game Studio, a team of five students merged their skills to conceive and create the action-filled game: Rags to Liches. A small, third-person, action, tower defense game that entails an adventure to find peace. You must battle through waves and waves of enemies in order to protect yourself and Neuman, your beloved llama. (It wouldn’t be a Neumont game if there weren’t any llamas, obviously!)

HOW IT’S MADE

On average, modern PC or console games take anywhere from three to five years to be developed. These five students tackled this development project in a matter of 10 weeks. 

What does it take to develop a game in a short amount of time? Coding, coding, and more coding. From creating an idea to mapping out the game, and in between testing every two weeks to maintain quality between builds, these students had a lot to accomplish.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Some of the obstacles in creating Rags to Liches included tackling animation, including idle animation. The player will notice the detailed movement in Raemond’s cloak, the jumping motions from Neuman, and even the weaponry movement. The enemies are AI generated and travel in all directions testing your defense strategies to the max.

It’s the little details that take this game to the next level. Inventory, level design, and its map building are extremely well done. Players have the ability to change screen resolution and graphic settings which are details that usually don’t receive a lot of attention when developed quickly. When playing in high quality mode, players will notice characters are given shadow effects. 

Just like the game, there were many challenges throughout its development. A recurring problem that the team faced involved the AI enemies. The paths are nodes, therefore an enemy moves from one node to another node. Once an enemy detects you, the player, they disconnect from the node system to charge. The problem was getting the enemies back to a node path after seeing you. By using tools built into unity and the knowledge gained at Neumont, they were able to make the AI enemies revert back to their path.

An amazing job well done by Neumont Game Studios.

PEER REVIEWS

@tylerobo wrote, “story just could not stop making me laugh. Nothing is explained and I LOVE it…”

@Night from Steam says, “make a 2nd game. This one was fire!” And @dockbkblbobo rates it as a “peak game.”

“Definitely enjoyed watching our boy go from a farmer to a geared out bad dude, but man being a lich sucks the lich stages were miserable, but the game is a blast for a free to play I love that it has a story and that we get to watch our character progress. It's pretty bare bones in way of tower defense mechanics, but it's still cool to be able to slaughter waves of enemies. I wish the lich form had more unholy abilities or towers, but instead you turn from a sword wielding blender to a lethargic victim. Definitely recommend though it's free to play and worth the time.” - @TheFluffyPanda

Play Rags to Liches for FREE on Steam.

THREE GENERATIONS OF NEUBIES. ONE HERITAGE.

Kaavya Bhattarai (Left), Nirvik Sharma (Middle), Savya Bhattarai (Right).

Neumont College of Computer Science is a small, selective, niche school located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each year over a thousand applications fly in from all over the nation. Classroom sizes are limited, allowing for a small percentage of applicants to get a seat on campus. Of those applicants, Nirvik Sharma, Savya and Kaavya Bhattarai are three generations of Nepalese who ventured to Neumont to embark on their computer science journey. Savya and Kaavya were both born in Kathmandu and moved to America as children. Nirvik attended school in Nepal, but spent the majority of his adolescent years here in Utah. So, what brought them to Neumont? Passion. Passion for technology brought Nirvik, a third year student who will be graduating this September, Savya, a second year student and Kaavya, a first year student, to Neumont.

WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION WITH TECHNOLOGY STEM FROM?

Nirvik recalls watching his older brothers play video games; he was more interested in how the games worked than in learning how to actually play the games. Nirvik began learning how to code in 7th grade and even enrolled in Khan Academy, an online education tool that offers courses in all subjects, to create his very own game! 

The Bhattarai brothers first became interested in tech when their Bubā (father) brought home a computer. The two brothers got to play on the computer daily, learning everything they could. Kaavya recalls right-clicking and experimenting with the ‘inspect element’ feature where he edited every line of code to see what would happen.

When Savya and Kaavya started high school, they both immediately enrolled in computer science classes. Savya was able to enroll in the Hardness Program, where students take coding classes outside of their traditional school to immerse themselves in CS. Kaavya took networking, JavaScript, and C++ classes at his high school.

It’s easy to see why these boys’ choose to attend Neumont. Their passion for technology began at an early age and grew with them into young adulthood. Neumont students are known for their tenuous work ethic because we empower them with the tools to learn CS. Check out our clubs page to get an idea of what the student life culture is like on campus.

WHAT’S YOUR CODING SECRET?

Have you ever changed your grade on a test before showing your parents? Remember the old school way of changing an F to an A with a red pen? Nirvik, on the other hand, took a high-tech approach and once used his HTML coding skills to change one of his school grades from a B to an A. Don’t worry, he could only change the image of the grade; his actual grade remained unchanged in the system. After all, he’s a coder not a hacker.* 

Savya shared an experience with portal ‘hacking’, where he logged into his high school’s system and changed the forwarding email to his personal email so that his Bubā would not receive emails from the school (just in case he was ever in trouble) which Savya assured us was his only intention. 

WHY NEUMONT?

Before you hear their why, listen to their original college plans:

Kaavya had intended to attend his local university, which was the cheapest college nearest him. Savya and Nirvik had no plans of attending college, so they both took a gap year after high school. A year later, their decision reversed when they received a yellow envelope in the mail from Neumont that offered a:

1. Three year bachelor’s degree program

2. Better potential of landing a high paying tech job

3. Curriculum that would allow them to start coding on day one 

Nirvik had insider information about Neumont because his brother is actually an alum! Following his brother's college decision is something Kaavya knows all about. During Savya’s orientation, his brother Kaavya accompanied him, where he learned all about Neumont’s culture and curriculum. By the end of the day, Kaavya had leaned over to his older brother and said, “I’m coming to this college next year, too.”

Got what it takes? Begin your application process here:

---

 *Neumont in no way condones or promotes academic cheating.

FEATURING COHORT 36’S FIRST NEULY HIRED: JEREMY JORDAN

Jeremy Jordan, who is from the small town of Gloucester, Virginia, was initially interested in studying marine biology but quickly changed gears when he discovered his superpower in Cyber Security! We are a bit biased here at Neumont, but we think it was a great decision to shift gears.

MARINE BIOLOGY TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

Jeremy’s first memory of technology is playing on his father’s Nintendo 64 (which is still in good condition by the way), but this did not spark his interest in tech just yet. In fact, throughout high school Jordan still intended on majoring in marine biology at his hometown college. 

What prompted Jeremy to change directions? It began at his high school, where Jeremy earned his Microsoft Specialist certification. According to Jeremy, it was no big deal, but this ‘small’ achievement opened the door to new possibilities. He began researching computer science programs and quickly learned about Virginia Tech, a CS school in his own state. So, why Neumont?

Four factors convinced Jeremy that Neumont was the right school for him: 

1. three year curriculum for a bachelor’s degree, 

2. graduating with experience through Neumont’s Enterprise Program, 

3. a class specifically designed to teach students how to secure a career in tech and 

4. finally, he was able to experience Neumont in person which sealed the Neumont deal for Jeremy! 

Jeremy’s journey had only just begun after enrolling at Neumont. He needed to select his major and hone in on a specific skill, and with a shortage of skilled candidates in cybersecurity, Jeremy made his decision. Neumont’s newly expanded Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Cybersecurity was the perfect fit. Between 2013 and 2021 the number of vacant cybersecurity positions increased from 1 million to 3.5 million. That’s a 350% increase! If you haven’t already heard, Neumont responded to industry demand by expanding our IS degree. As a computer science school, we recognize that this industry is constantly evolving and we strive to evolve alongside it.

THIS LLAMA’S LEGACY

Jeremy’s legacies at Neumont include founding the Cybersecurity Club, which is flourishing on campus, he also acted as the Esports Rocket League Team A Captain, and created a program in his Capstone Project that has been implemented in the server room on campus. Alongside his teammates, Jeremy designed and “rebuilt the network to put in critical infrastructure such as a new firewall, intrusion detection in prevention systems, and a new VPN access.” Neumont is pleased to see Jeremy’s passion and dedication within these campus halls. 

Given that Jeremy was the first in his cohort to be hired (before completing his final quarter) he made an excellent choice in choosing his major. Following an extensive interview process that included a technical quiz, technical interview, cognitive and behavioral test, and a requirement that he write a paper, Jeremy will be working for ReliaQuest as a Cybersecurity Analyst Associate. 

Congratulations, Jeremy! 

Before he leaves, Jeremy has some advice to those who are considering Neumont: 

The Four B’s Of Advice:

• Be willing to go outside your comfort zone by going above and beyond

• Be willing to look at businesses that you wouldn’t really think to normally look at

• Be active in the Neumont community

• Be confident in your interview, they obviously invited you to the interview for a reason

Interested in Cybersecurity? Learn how Neumont can prepare you for a career in the growing field.

LLAMA LEGACY: CHOOSING THE OUT-OF-STATE ROUTE

View fullsize

Noel was recently named Student of the Quarter for her achievements with Neumont’s Women in Tech club (of which she is the president). She led the effort to get the WIT club to this year’s SheTech Explorer Day hosted by Womentechcouncil, an event dedicated to inspiring female youths to pursue a career in STEM.

SO, WHY cOMPUTER SCIENCE?

“It’s a funny story: when I was in fourth grade, I would help in the library instead of going to recess (yeah… the nerd has always been there). When our school got our first set of iPads, they downloaded Scratch, which is a block coding app that helps beginners understand the concepts of programming. The librarian couldn’t figure it out, and since she knew me so well, she asked me to give it a try. I got so good that by fifth grade, they had deemed me the “Tech Leader” (I got to make my own sparkly badge and everything), and I would come in and teach the other fifth grade classes how to use Scratch. When she told me this was a real job and I could become a programmer, I said ‘okay’ and I just started to chase my passion for tech.

By majoring in Business Technology Management, Noel is able to stay in the computer science field (which makes her nerdy side happy) but also allows her to follow her passion to one day be a Product Owner. She says, “I will definitely stay in the computer science industry, one day leading a team of developers that are creating a product. Instead of just focusing on the how for my team, I’ll get to look from the business side and represent my customers, my executives, and my team in various ways.” Sounds like a well-rounded and exciting career!

OUT-OF-STATE VS IN-STATE

View fullsize

There are many factors to consider when making the decision of going to college in your hometown or making the jump to another state. Now that Noel’s been at Neumont for two years, we asked how she feels about her decision because moving to Utah from St. Louis, Missouri was no easy task but Noel explains why Neumont was the best decision for her:

“I had taken several coding classes through high school, and while I enjoyed it, I knew it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do as a career. But, I decided to keep going anyway and decided to attend a state university for a computer science degree. Then, I got a bright yellow letter in the mail that caught my attention. Most college scouting letters went straight to the trash, but this one was different and caught my eye. After reading a bit about the institution  I learned about their Business and Technology Management degree. I got really excited because it actually sounded right for me.”

Out-of-state became an easy decision after flipping through Neumont’s viewbook and seeing the hands-on curriculum offered. Noel goes on to say that “the school hasn’t disappointed me and I’m on track to graduating early as the first student to do so in Neumont history. I’m glad that I moved away from home because it forced me to develop an 'adult’ personality and allowed me to become more independent.”

Is attending an out-of-state college the right choice for you? Check out College Raptor’s article: How To Decide Between In-State Or Out-Of-State Colleges. They explain how your choice of major is a huge factor when deciding on which college to attend.

If you’re looking for a successful college journey like Noel’s, request a viewbook to learn more about Neumont.

ESPORTS WINTER SEASON '23 RECAP

View fullsize

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - What an epic season for the Neumont Llamas! Six of our eight teams battled their way into the playoffs this season. Our SSBU and CoD teams both advanced to the NACE Starleague Championships. And our Rocket League B Team qualified for The League Esports Breakout Division Championships.

During the NACE Starleague Championships, our Call of Duty Team A faced off against the UNT Dallas Trailblazers. As this season’s runner up, our CoD Teams are now more motivated for the start of next season. 

Brandon Smith “Eukaryotic” made waves this season with his SSBU team. During this season’s championship game against George Fox University, they had viewers on the edge of their seats. Cheering him on from the livestream party, his fellow teammates and friends yelled: “Eukaryotic he’s our man, if he can’t do it, no one can!” Well, he and his teammates did it, by smashing the final round to take home the gold! 

Neumont Esports Top 3 | 2023 Super Smash NACE West Central Champions

Friday, April 21, neubies and current students got to watch our Rocket League B Team live for The League Esports Breakout Division against Team SG. Having played against Team SG several times over the year, our Rocket League team was confident in the endgame. Team captain, Alexander Stokes, practiced with his team and together they took home the title of TLE’s Breakout Division Champions.

Neumont Esports | 2023 TLE Breakout Division Rocket League Champion

Follow along on the socials for Neumont esports updates. And check out some of our season recap Top Threes below.