By Vivian DiSalvo (Class of 2026) 

“Whatever I do in the future, I know I want to give back,” says Sejal Verma. 

Verma (Class of 2028) is studying computer science and economics with a concentration in econometrics and data analysis and a minor in data science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has not only found her community within UT but is also committed to leaving that community better than she found it.  

Verma has spent the last semester working with the UT chapter of Hack4Impact, a cohort of students that works with three to five nonprofit organizations to help create and code a product that meets the needs of the nonprofit.  

The students primarily focus on making sure every nonprofit is technologically up to date and that all of the nonprofits’ operational systems function effectively for the work they are doing. This semester, the chapter is working with MindVersity, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, and Muse Knoxville. 

Verma serves on the project sourcing team of the chapter, and her main priority is finding nonprofits to work with and reaching out to them, allowing her to further hone her interpersonal skills and get an idea of the needs within the Knoxville community.  

She contributes to a better Knoxville with this program and is committed to improving the lives of her community. Verma is also part of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (Heath IBEP), so Hack4Impact gives her a hands-on opportunity to combine her business skills with her engineering skills. 

Heath IBEP encourages business and engineering students to work together, emphasizing the connection between engineers and business professionals. The competitive four-year program counts as a minor in integrated business and engineering and provides students opportunities for mentorship and professional development experiences, as well as an annual scholarship. It has been integral to Verma’s student experience, developing her skills and understanding at the intersection of her interests. 

“I was already looking into job opportunities that combined computer science and economics,” Verma says. “This program gave me the perfect opportunity for my interests and will provide me with real-life experience for the workforce.” 

The program was endowed by Ralph Heath (’70, ’75), who previously served as the president of leading defense and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Heath knows the importance of gaining professional experience and making connections in the field and used this knowledge to help propel students forward in their career by creating Heath IBEP. 

Alumni involvement, like that of Heath’s, has had a remarkable impact in setting Verma up for success. She’s been able to explore her interests through Heath IBEP, which gives her hands-on experience in the exact fields she wants to pursue. She’s made a home here at UT, and the generosity of alumni has allowed her to do so. 

Verma hopes to pursue a master’s degree and plans to work within business and engineering. In whatever she does, she plans to give back, allowing others the opportunities that made college so fruitful for her.