Alyamama Abdo knows how intimidating it can be to enter the field of engineering, especially as a woman. From classes you may not have felt prepared for, to a competitive job market, it can be easy to feel imposter syndrome. But in her time at UM-Dearborn as a software engineering student, she found a way to let go of limiting ideologies and encourage others to do the same. Alyamama has created organizations, events and spaces where young women can find community in the STEM field and support one another.

Know-How

One of the first organizations Alyamama helped build is called KNOW (Keys to Navigating Our World). She co-founded this nonprofit organization with a friend to help first-generation and immigrant students navigate college.

They achieved this mission through organizing outreach events with local high school students. KNOW set up workshops at the high schools where students could get assistance with their college applications from those who had already gone through the process.

“During one of our college application workshops, I worked with a high school senior who felt overwhelmed by the application process and believed college might not be attainable for her,” Alyamama said. “I immediately saw myself in her, as I had also once struggled to understand how college would work for me as a first-generation student.”

From there, Alyamama spent the rest of the afternoon sharing her own experiences and walking the student through the application process, scholarship opportunities and financial aid.

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is another UM-Dearborn chapter that Alyamama helped co-found and serves as president of, which creates inclusive technical spaces for women in computer and software engineering. This is accomplished through on-campus programming, mentorship programs, and workshops, all with the goal of encouraging younger students to pursue careers in technology.

“One initiative I am especially proud of is our mentorship partnership with local high schools, where we host biweekly workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence, web development and cybersecurity, alongside professional development opportunities like panels and networking sessions,” Alyamama said.

The event she’s referring to was called TeachHer. What started as a conference to introduce young girls to STEM turned into a massive event with an attendance of around 150 people. High school students came to UM-Dearborn’s campus for a full day of hands-on activities designed to make technology exciting and attainable for students who may not yet see themselves represented in STEM fields.

“Knowing that something I helped create can inspire someone else to pursue their goals is the accomplishment that means the most to me,” she said.

Meaning through Mentorship

Among the many hats Alyamama juggles, one that she is particularly proud of is her role as a peer mentor at the Engineering Learning Center. This is a resource for engineering students where they can receive teaching support from more senior students. The peer mentors provide mentorship, academic guidance and support as first-year students make their transition from high school to university.

“This experience has shown me how powerful mentorship and collaborative learning can be,” she said. “It’s reinforced my belief that leadership is about creating opportunities for others and building supportive communities where students feel empowered to pursue their goals.”

Elizabeth Edenstorm, supervisor at the Engineering Learning Center, commented on Alyamama’s exceptional mentorship skills, saying that, “Her ability to relate on a personal level is her superpower. She is capable of connecting with others quickly, and after one conversation, you feel like you've known each other for years.”

Bridging Law and Technology

A surprising, yet not so surprising, goal for Alyamama is to attend law school. In a conversation with the Difference Maker, she explained the lack of technical understanding within government and how having more technology-savvy lawmakers could have a positive impact on our growing digital world.

“As a software engineering student on the pre-law track, I’ve become especially interested in privacy law and how emerging technologies shape digital rights and data protection,” she said. “Being part of the honors program has helped me realize that I can actually explore both of these interests together.”

She is currently conducting an independent study where she is researching topics on the intersection of technology, ethics and policy. “These opportunities have helped me realize that I can meaningfully combine my technical background with my long-term goal of pursuing law.”