Daniel Briceno, a fourth-year student studying computer science set to graduate from NC State this May, has compiled an extensive list of accomplishments throughout his college journey. 

From serving in leading roles with the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., to becoming a TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholar, winning a three-minute research slam, Briceno has gained ample experience that will serve him well on his future career path. 

Perhaps most impressively, every step Briceno has taken on his college journey has been part of a brand-new path he’s charting for his family. Briceno is a first-generation college student. His parents immigrated to the United States from Costa Rica 22 years ago, interrupting and ultimately forgoing their own college educations to set up their family’s future. 

“To this day, that pushes me to really value my education, to make the most of it right now,” Briceno said. 

Finding a First-Generation Community 

Federal TRIO Programs were established to support the nation’s commitment to provide educational opportunities for all Americans to enter college, graduate and move on to fulfill their post-graduate dreams.

NC State’s umbrella of TRIO includes programming to support first-generation college students such as Briceno, including the First in the Pack program. 

During his second year at NC State, Briceno sought out a calculus tutor through TRIO, and thus began his involvement. He soon joined the Ronald E. McNair Scholars program, designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.

This was of particular importance to Briceno, as he plans to pursue a graduate degree, and has been heavily involved in research throughout his undergraduate career.

“TRIO has meant so much to me,” Briceno said. “I can’t put it into words, just because it feels like I was meant to be part of this program. All of the people that I’ve met, all of the skillsets I’ve developed, all of the goals and visions that I’ve planned for myself have been as a result of this program. I hear a lot of people say that TRIO works, and I feel like I embody that, because if it weren’t for this program, I don’t think I would have considered graduate school. I don’t think I would have considered continuing with my research as long as I have, because I probably would have stopped that first semester. I think this program really pushed me, gave me that drive and motivation to continue what I’m doing.” 

“It feels like I was meant to be part of this program.”

Through First in the Pack, Briceno has been able to find a community of fellow students, as well as NC State faculty and staff, who understand his unique journey as a first-generation college student. 

He has also had a chance to mentor multiple incoming first-year, first-generation students, and help them find the support that has been so important to his own college journey. 

“It can be scary coming into this alone, but knowing that you have someone who’s been through this, they can help me out, they can guide me, it feels nice knowing that you belong somewhere, you have your group and someone’s looking out for you,” Briceno said. “I think that’s really nice to know.” 

“Daniel is one of the more driven and passionate people that I’ve known.”

For TRIO staff such as assistant director Wanya Ward, having students such as Briceno to provide a leading example for incoming students is vital. 

“Daniel is one of the more driven and passionate people that I’ve known,” Ward said. “Daniel has a capability in him, a confidence that he sees in himself to be able to push himself towards his goals and aspirations. I think he does a really good job of putting himself in spaces to be able to be successful, and I think the biggest thing is his ability to learn. Daniel does a great job of getting feedback and guidance from the people around him. I think what makes him stand out is his ability to incorporate that feedback into his growth, and provide opportunities to be able to utilize what he’s learned from others.”

Researching to Improve Educational Experience

After taking a data structures and algorithms course in the summer of 2024, Briceno jumped at an opportunity presented by the course’s instructor to participate in undergraduate research in the fall. 

He worked in a lab that created a participatory design study for high school teachers across Raleigh to join workshops exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models, and the potential role of chatbots in classrooms. 

“The purpose of that study was to see how we could improve current software in education settings and make them more approachable, not just for the student, but also for professors, because it’s important for professors to have that transparency into what’s going on,” Briceno said. “What are their students actually learning, what are they doing? So we realized that was really important for us to figure out. Since then, all of the projects that I’ve worked on have in some way, shape or form been in the purpose of finding ways that we can enhance student learning capabilities.” 

Briceno’s own experiences as a first-generation college student have fueled his desire to participate in research studies designed to improve classroom experiences for students, particularly in computer design programs. 

“I struggled during my first two semesters here at NC State,” Briceno said. “I realized that the way someone teaches really has an impact on me. I noticed that I perform better in classroom settings where professors encourage collaborative learning, group discussion and walk us through problems. Computer science has been challenging but rewarding. I think I find a lot of value in knowing that I’m doing work that’s going to allow others to learn better.”

Briceno’s involvement with the McNair Scholars program has also opened additional research opportunities for him. 

Last September, he participated in a three-minute research slam event in Hunt Library’s visualization lab, giving a comprehensive presentation and winning the event. 

“I really think I nailed it in the way that I was able to present and make sure that the audience understood what I was talking about, because after the fact, I had so many questions that I ran out of time,” Briceno said. “So, at the end of the day, I really felt like the audience was able to understand what was going on, and they were interested in my work, so that was rewarding.”

Staying Busy on Campus 

In the second semester of his sophomore year, Briceno joined the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., a fraternity that focuses on business-oriented goals and hosts numerous professional development workshops and community-outreach events. 

Briceno has served in multiple capacities with the fraternity, including the corporate relations chair and administrative chair, organizing meetings and events, and also setting up partnerships with local businesses to host fundraisers and events. 

“We’ve partnered with several businesses and venues for different purposes,” Briceno said. “I was the primary point of contact for all of those relationships, managing all of these meetings and meeting with people.”

Briceno also works in the Game2Learn Lab, Maker Studio and Gaming and Esports Lab in the NC State Libraries. 

“At the libraries, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a variety of studios,” Briceno said. “The ones that I currently work in are the Maker Studio and Esports Lab. When I’m working in these studios, I’ll welcome students into the space. I’ll help them with any questions that they may have, and I’ll help them get started. Whether they want to 3D print, make stickers or get started with gaming, I’m always there to welcome them in and help them get comfortable in this space.”

In his free time, Briceno enjoys making use of campus amenities such as working out at the Wellness and Recreation Center or studying in the libraries. 

“I enjoy going to events on campus as well, whether it’s with my fraternity, my fellow McNair Scholar peers or whoever, I just like staying involved and having that social community as well,” Briceno said.

Blazing a Trail for a Future in Education

Throughout his college journey, Briceno has known that he’s setting an example for more than just his fellow TRIO students. 

He has three younger siblings, and, as the first in his immediate family to go to college, Briceno has taken pride in setting an example for them to follow. 

“Something that I think about to this day and made me realize that I’m setting an example is that in high school, I was part of my school’s robotics team that became nationally known in the United States,” Briceno said. “We had just started, and I was one of the faces of the team. So I became known nationally. I was interviewed by my city’s newspaper, I had articles published about me. I remember coming home one day, and my sister told my youngest brother, ‘We’ve got to carry on the Briceno name.’ At that time, I was doing all of these really good things, setting higher expectations for them. When I heard her say that to my younger brother, that kind of made me realize that what I’m doing really matters. They’re looking up to me. I’m setting an example, so I know I need to achieve as much as I can. I love them, and I want the best for them. If I can push them to do better with the things that I do, that’s enough drive for me to continue doing what I’m doing as well.” 

Going forward, Briceno hopes to pursue a future in education, and help future generations of students find the same successes that he has. 

He hopes to pursue an internship this summer, before starting the next chapter of his educational journey. 

“After that, my plan is to attend graduate school,” Briceno said. “I’m going to pursue a Ph.D. During the first two years, I want to get started with my research right away. I’ve written a proposal for fellowship programs that kind of has solidified what I want to do early on. I’m hoping I get funding to do research from an earlier stage. If not, I’m very happy to be a TA and begin teaching and mentoring students as well. Either way, it’s a win-win for me. I know I’m ready to begin that journey.”

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