Towela Phiri, Computer Science

Towela Phiri is a fourth-year undergraduate who will graduate with a BS in Computer Science in spring and intends to pursue a PhD after graduation. Her goal: to become a professor,  someone who, she says, “can help to create more inclusive learning environments in STEM, particularly for underrepresented students, while conducting research that will have real-world social impacts.” She is a member of the Black Student Union and the National Society of Black Engineers and Scientists (NSBE), and serves as NSBE chapter president.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Phiri feels well prepared for what’s ahead. “The COE has given me opportunities to excel in many areas,” she says. “The faculty here are leading experts in their fields and emphasize hands-on learning and keeping up to date with industry standards. The courses encourage students to think critically and ethically. I know that I am receiving a rigorous, high-quality education and that I am prepared for whatever journey I undertake after school. The collaborative nature of UCSB fosters an environment where most people genuinely want to see each other succeed. The support from faculty members who are approachable and understanding and validate my challenges, along with friendships and connections I’ve developed since freshman year, has been essential to my success in the COE.”

That success and confidence have not, however, come easily. “Being the only Black student in most of my classes can feel isolating, and the lack of Black professors has made it difficult to find a mentor who understands my experiences,” Phiri says. “As a result, I have been motivated to advocate and create space for other Black students who came after me. Beyond the COE, I have found a strong community of Black students on campus, but there is work to be done in terms of increasing our representation in STEM and engineering.”

Chief among those, she suggests, might be investing more in retention programs for Black students to address systemic and structural barriers. “Many Black students enter college less prepared, because they come from underfunded schools and had limited access to rigorous STEM coursework and resources,” she says. “Financial instability is also more prevalent, as fewer Black families have generational wealth to rely on. Those challenges may be compounded by a scarcity of Black faculty, resulting in fewer mentorship opportunities, fostering a sense of isolation and hampering Black students’ sense of belonging. Systemic racism can further inhibit access to research opportunities, internships, professional networking, and other critical elements of success.”

In her first two years at UCSB, Phiri struggled with those issues, experiencing imposter syndrome, constantly questioning whether she belonged in the field, and doubting whether she could succeed in it — to the point that she began the process of switching her major. “The lack of representation made it difficult to find a sense of community or mentorship, so that I often felt like an outsider,” she recalls. “Being the only Black woman for much of my time in the major weighed heavily on me. It wasn’t just about struggling with coursework; it was about navigating an environment where I felt unseen and that  I constantly had to prove that I deserved to be there.” 

The goal of retention programs, she says, “should go beyond simply keeping Black students enrolled. Mentorship programs can provide much-needed guidance by connecting students with faculty, graduate students, and industry professionals who understand their unique challenges and goals.”

Phiri says that the organizations she is part of “have been essential in shaping my college experience by providing a strong support network, hosting events that celebrate Black culture, and advocating for the needs of Black students on campus. Through NSBE, I’ve had opportunities to connect with other Black engineers, receive mentorship, and grow both academically and professionally. The sense of community these organizations foster has been invaluable to my success within the COE.”

Phiri finds inspiration in Black women in STEM who have come before her, including Joy Buolamwini, an American AI researcher, artist, and advocate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who aims to create a world with more equitable and accountable technology; Timnit Gebru, an Eritrean-born computer-science researcher who has also done groundbreaking work on discrimination in AI and large language models; and Rapelang Rabana, a computer scientist and entrepreneur from Botswana who is currently co-CEO of an education technology NGO.

“Diversity in STEM isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating a culture where Black students feel like they truly belong,” Phiri says. “UCSB has made some progress, but there is still a long way to go.”

Read more about Black History Month 2025.