Post by Kyla Letko

I'm graduating from UCLA in June! There’s a lot here that I’ll miss, but I could not be more excited for what's next. Last week, I accepted an offer to serve in the Peace Corps as a primary education teacher trainer, a goal I’ve been working towards since eighth grade. Beginning this fall, I will move to The Gambia to promote literacy and numeracy in elementary and middle schools. Following three months of training, my day to day tasks will be to plan and implement hands-on learning activities in the school curriculum, organize after-school activities, and tutor students. I am especially excited to help foster a love for math and science in young students, just as my teachers did for me. After completing my service, I’ll return to the U.S. in January 2028 to begin a PhD in atomic, molecular, and optical physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. My research will focus on the applications of quantum control using individually trapped atoms and molecules. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has inspired and supported my personal and academic goals. I would not be where I am now without those teachers, mentors, friends, and family. Looking forward to this next chapter!