Experiential learning is at the heart of what happens at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Immersed in hands-on projects, research, and real-world applications, Franklin students don’t just major in their disciplines – they live them. Nivedha Natarajan’s undergraduate journey demonstrates the transformative power of this type of education. 

On graduation day, Natarajan will deliver the student commencement address for UGA’s School of Computing. One of 14 Franklin students to receive the 2026 Presidential Award of Excellence, Natarajan completed her undergraduate degree in just three years. During her time at UGA, she has been an active member of several student organizations, conducted undergraduate research, and represented the department beyond the campus. She now heads to a full-time role at Google as a software engineer.

“Nivedha’s achievements are elevating computer science at Franklin and UGA,” said Gagan Agrawal, head of the School of Computing. Natarajan grew up fascinated by tools like search engines and online learning platforms, systems that made information accessible and empowered people to pursue their goals. At Franklin, that curiosity evolved into a mission. She began to look beyond the code itself, asking how technology could serve broader communities and create meaningful opportunities.

From her first year, Natarajan immersed herself in the undergraduate experience. She joined the Cool Dawgs Vertically Innovative Projects for Research (VIPR) team, where she helped develop the CoolDawgs app, a project aimed at giving pet owners real-time insights into heat stress experienced by their animals. Her work extended beyond design; she also contributed to building a sensor module that interprets temperature data. She also took advantage of undergraduate research opportunities, including participating in the SensorWeb Research Lab, where she explored real-time data visualization and mobile applications for Internet of Things systems using Web3DB. 

Mentorship by Franklin faculty played a pivotal role in Natarajan’s growth. Principal Lecturer Brad Barnes sparked her early fascination with computer science during her first week on campus, encouraging her to look beyond how code works and ask why it matters. Lecturer Diane Stephens later expanded that perspective, introducing her to full-stack development and inspiring a commitment to lifelong learning and teaching. Together, these faculty members helped shape her skills and keep her work focused on purpose.

“Nivedha is the kind of student every instructor hopes for and every classroom benefits from,” Stephens said. “Someone whose quiet excellence lifts everyone around her.”

Natarajan’s internship with Google focused on the STEP and software engineering programs. There, she applied her skills to products used by people around the world, gaining firsthand experience building technology at scale. 

Looking ahead, Natarajan is especially interested in the intersection of AI and operating systems. She envisions a future in which AI is embedded at the core of everyday devices. At the heart of that vision is a consistent goal: improving access to information, opportunity, and tools that help people thrive.