Ritchie School Student’s Journey Through Coding, Creativity, and Research

Every student at the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science has a moment that sparked their interest in the STEM field. Meet Beckett Morris— a computer science and mathematics major with a minor in French whose path to her STEM degree started with a class! It started when she signed up for a required computer science course in high school. At that time, she was just intending to finish the required class and move on to the next class. However, she found herself captivated by it. 

“The mix of being methodical and creative in computer science really drew me right away, and I just couldn't get enough. I kept taking a couple more CS classes in high school and then obviously declared it as my major coming here,” she says. 

But coding isn’t the only thing that she’s good at. She’s also an artist and a sports enthusiast. During her free time, she’s either lifting, skiing, cycling, hiking, bullet journaling, or collaging. Beckett also enjoys learning new languages, namely French and the bit of Swedish she picked up while studying abroad. Studying at Ritchie School has been a transformative experience for Beckett, both academically and personally. Mentors like Dr. Faan Tone (her advisor), Dr. Kirsten Haring (her thesis advisor), and Dr. Dan Stevenson have helped her grow theoretically and technically. Whether it was her professors, Teaching Assistants, or peers, they’ve all helped shape her journey. 

“I could really go on and on about all the people who have helped me,” she says. 

For her, choosing to attend the University of Denver (DU) was intentional. Having moved frequently while growing up, she knew she wanted to return to Colorado and be close to the mountains. DU’s study abroad program and the quarter system were another big draw for her. “I was drawn to the study abroad program. I think most people are and I enjoyed that on the quarter system, I could fit in two majors and keep minoring in French,” she says. 

Looking ahead, she is considering a career in research, either in academia or industry. Her interests span cognitive architectures, which is the focus of her thesis, and applications of machine learning and AI to physiology. These topics enable her to coordinate her CS education with her interest in the human brain and body. While she has not nailed down the exact research path she wants to take, she’s excited about where it will lead her. 

One of the most meaningful outcomes of her academic journey has been her newfound confidence. “I know now that I can take on a substantial coding project or tackle a new mathematical proof. I don’t adhere to internalized limitations as much because I have evidence that I can work through hard things,” she says. 

Her confidence and her knowledge shines through in her simple yet powerful advice for new students. “Don't hold yourself back. Consider taking a course that you've heard is challenging, and I think you'll surprise yourself by how much you can handle. You'll also be amazed at how much you can grow by doing things a little outside of what you think is possible for you,” she says. 

Beckett hopes to remain a lifelong learner — curious, engaged, and always discovering the world in new ways. 

“I hope I'm always a student. Maybe not in the sense that I am now, but just a student of the world around me,” she says.