When Samantha Brown arrived at SUNY Oswego, she had a clear priority: earn a strong degree without carrying financial stress into her future. By the time she graduated in December 2025, she achieved exactly that. Brown double majored in computer science and interaction design, graduating magna cum laude and completely debt-free.
Her preparation began before college. Through Mohawk Valley Community College, she completed 60 dual enrollment credits in high school, allowing her to enter Oswego with many general education requirements already finished.
“My parents didn’t pay any of my college expenses,” she said. “I didn’t have a secret advantage. I just learned graduating without debt was more doable than people often think.”
I didn’t have a secret advantage. I just learned graduating without debt was more doable than people often think.
Choosing value and opportunity
Affordability started with choosing a university that balanced academic quality with realistic costs. Brown prioritized academic quality, hands-on opportunities and long-term value when choosing where to enroll.
“Success isn’t about the name on the diploma alone. It’s about the work you put in, the experiences you pursue and the people you surround yourself with,” she said.
At Oswego, she found strong academic preparation alongside hands-on opportunities that supported her interests in software engineering, user experience (UX) design and emerging technology.
Scholarships, leadership and real experience
Scholarships played an important role, including the Jessie E. and Jay D. Rudolph Scholarship. Brown encourages students to apply widely, including smaller awards many students overlook.
“Small scholarships really add up,” she said. “Sometimes they only take a short application, and it really is worth the time.”
She also gained professional experience while helping offset costs. Brown worked as a Student Admissions Ambassador throughout college and completed internships in design and engineering, including with Pioneer and Sicura.
Beyond academics, she stayed highly involved. Brown served as president of the Human-Computer Interaction Organization, vice president of the Computer Science Association and director of SUNY Oswego’s first annual hackathon, LakerHacks, which brought together more than 100 students. She was also active in Women in Computing, Vega Academic Honor Society and the Oz Design Club.
Hackathons that shaped her path
Hackathons became a major part of Brown’s college experience. What began with her first event quickly expanded into national travel, competitions and leadership opportunities.
She attended hackathons across the country including HenHacks, Bitcamp, HopHacks, Cornell’s BigRed//Hacks, CalHacks and HackPrinceton. Along the way, she earned multiple awards including a Game Track win at Bitcamp, third overall at HopHacks and design-focused recognition at BigRed//Hacks.
Those experiences strengthened her technical skills, built industry connections and helped position her for internships and full-time employment.
Career flexibility after graduation
After completing a summer internship with Sicura, Brown accepted a full-time position as an associate software engineer and relocated to New York City.
Graduating debt-free gave her flexibility as she began her career.
Make the big move to New York City “right after graduation would have felt overwhelming if I had student loan debt,” she said. “Because I graduated debt-free, I could focus on my career, the experience and the opportunities ahead instead of financial pressure.”
Today she contributes to software development and user experience work focused on security and compliance technology.
Because I graduated debt-free, I could focus on my career, the experience and the opportunities ahead instead of financial pressure.
A foundation for what comes next
Brown credits SUNY Oswego with helping her grow both professionally and personally. Her work in Admissions, leadership in student organizations and technical experiences all contributed to her confidence and direction.
“I started college unsure of exactly where I was headed,” she said. “Oswego gave me the space, support and opportunities to figure that out.”
Looking ahead, she plans to continue developing her technical expertise, expanding her impact in technology and staying engaged with communities that support innovation and inclusion.
While Brown is proud of how far she has come, “I’m even more excited about what’s ahead,” she said. “I plan to keep learning, keep building and keep creating opportunities for myself and others.”
Students interested in exploring how a SUNY Oswego education can remain affordable, including scholarships, financial aid options and planning support, can learn more through SUNY Oswego Financial Aid resources and start building a path that works for them.
