engineering at San Jose State College Magazine
Student Profile – Clarence Choi
For Clarence Choi, engineering isn’t just a field of study—it’s a mindset shaped by curiosity, creativity, and community. Now as a first-year master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at San José State University, Clarence has spent his academic journey practicing classroom knowledge with hands-on experience. Whether he’s building scale models, capturing scenic shots on hiking trails, or leading initiatives with Spartan Racing, his approach to engineering reflects a passion for discovery and helping others grow alongside him.
Born and raised in Pleasanton, California, Clarence’s heritage originates from Hong Kong and Shanghai, and he’s proud to be the first person in his family born in America to attend college. From childhood his interest in building Legos and watching shows like “How It’s Made” and “Mythbusters”—sparked a fascination with how things work. As he progressed through hands-on classes in school, that curiosity spark grew into a career pursuit toward engineering.
At first, Clarence didn’t have any intention of taking up any leadership role within Spartan Racing. However, after being inspired by Matan Blum’s work, a 2022 alumni, he became treasurer and took on responsibilities in logistics, documentation, and strengthening the College’s relationship with the team. His most memorable project was the SR-15, the team’s 2023-2024 car, where he managed everything from budget oversight and merchandise organization to brake system design and validation alongside 2 other students, Rahul S and Aaron B. That year, the car placed 5th in the nation and 1st in California.
Beyond technical knowledge, Clarence values the real-world lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom—time management, project leadership, and mentoring others. Being part of Spartan Racing allowed him to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. From meeting deadlines to collaborating with teammates on complex projects, all gave him a taste of industry expectations. Engaging with alumni also provided valuable insights and advice that helped guide the team’s design decisions.
As he passes the baton to the next generation of Spartan Racing leaders, Clarence advises, “A physical/digital documentation with images creates a better path of writing as it can be applied to technical papers and reports.” His efforts to establish better documentation practices ensured future members could continue improving the team’s performance, especially by having new members read it and ask questions, filtering out “holes” in the document.
Clarence may not have his future perfectly mapped out, but he is certain that he wants to be part of a passionate, collaborative team solving complex problems. “I don’t know where I’ll be. I do know I want to work with a good team and take down whatever problems that get thrown at me” he says, “to work in an industry that has passionate people is definitely something meaningful to me!” With his passion, adaptability, and dedication to teamwork, Clarence Choi is going full throttle into a future built on impact.
Excitement in the Air as Admitted Spartans Visit the College of Engineering
On Saturday, April 12, the College of Engineering welcomed admitted students and their families for a special on-campus visit filled with energy, curiosity, and anticipation. The event offered future engineers a firsthand look at the vibrant academic community and innovative resources that await them.
The day featured guided lab tours across all departments, where visitors got an inside look at ongoing research and cutting-edge technology. One standout attraction was the flight simulator lab, which drew particular interest from students eager to explore aviation as their major.
Each engineering department hosted engaging presentations, with civil, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering sessions drawing especially large crowds. In fact, the turnout was so strong that the areas filled to standing room only, a clear sign of the enthusiasm and interest among the admitted students and their families.
Adding a personal touch to the day, visitors had the unique opportunity to enjoy coffee and conversation with Dean Sheryl Ehrman. The informal gathering offered a chance to ask questions, hear about the college’s vision, and connect directly with the leadership.
The event served not only to showcase the strengths of the College of Engineering but also to welcome the next generation of innovators into a community ready to inspire and support their educational journey.
A big thank you to the faculty, staff, and student volunteers who gave their time to the event. A special shout out to Brandi Rubino, the CoE events aficionado, for pulling ASD together!
API & SWANA Heritage Month – ATM Machine
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, this article highlights the remarkable journey of Dr. Đỗ Đức Cường, a Vietnamese-born inventor who revolutionized the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) industry. Growing up in the rural countryside of Việt Nam, Dr. Cường overcame numerous challenges to become a trailblazer in engineering and banking. After earning a scholarship to study in Japan and working for Toshiba, he moved to the United States. In 1977, Dr. Cường was personally invited by Citibank’s CEO to join the company, where he led a team of engineers in tackling the challenge of enhancing financial services for the public. His leadership played a pivotal role in the development of the ATM, a now-essential technology that has transformed how we access cash and reshaped the banking experience. Read the full article to learn more about his story.
Hacked Silicon Valley crosswalk buttons play messages imitating Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk – featuring Prof. Ahmed Banafa
Crosswalk buttons across the Peninsula stunned pedestrians this weekend by playing hacked voice messages impersonating Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, delivering bizarre and unsettling monologues about AI, loneliness, and even cybertrucks. The prank, which affected intersections in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Redwood City, prompted swift action from city officials to disable the audio systems. This strange incident has everyone asking—how did this happen, and who’s behind it? Watch the full video to hear the hacked crosswalks for yourself.
College of Engineering GO Program to Conclude This Semester
The College of Engineering’s GO Program will officially conclude at the end of the current semester. Designed to encourage student engagement through events and activities, the program has provided students with opportunities to earn points toward a variety of prizes.
Students who have accumulated 30 points or more are encouraged to redeem their points for rewards as outlined on the CoE GO Program webpages before the program ends.
For details on available prizes and the redemption process, please visit the GO Program section on the College of Engineering website. Don’t miss your chance to claim your rewards before the semester wraps up!