Mika Collins ’26

Mika Collins has cracked the code, becoming UNCW’s first graduate from the software engineering program (SENG). 

Having grown up in Albemarle, North Carolina, Collins majors in software engineering with minors in computer science and Spanish. She serves as a student member on the Software Engineering Advisory Board and as an undergraduate teacher assistant in the department. 

“I am most proud of my resilience both inside and outside the classroom. College can be overwhelming, and I am proud of my ability to keep moving forward,” Collins said. 

The SENG program was established in fall 2024 to help fulfill industry demand for new graduates trained in the complexities of engineering large-scale, high-quality software systems. The program emphasizes real software tools, collaboration, teamwork and strong technical foundations. 

During her sophomore year, Collins was spending more time teaching herself to code as a hobby than on her actual homework assignments. That was the moment she decided to pursue her passion for coding as a career path. 

“In a field like software engineering, you are constantly learning and adapting. I’ve learned to turn my curiosity into a skill and I’m proud of how I have been able to embrace the continuous learning that this major requires,” Collins said. 

Along with her studies, Collins is heavily involved on and off campus. She has been a YMCA camp counselor, a UNCW recreation center worker, and is a member of the Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. 

“Between my coursework, jobs, campus involvement and personal projects, I’ve had to be very intentional with my time. I’ve found that when you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t always feel like work,” Collins said. 

Collins is also working on a professional software development project with civil engineering firm Kittelson & Associates in Wilmington. Outside coding, she also has a passion for roller skating. 

“My dad started taking me when I was five years old, and it’s been a passion I’ve shared with him since. He’s been my biggest supporter since the beginning, and our skating sessions are a huge part of who I am outside of my professional life.” 

As the first UNCW graduate from the software engineering program, Collins will also be the program’s outstanding graduate, an honor given to students who demonstrate outstanding success both inside and outside the classroom.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am to represent this major. A huge part of my success is thanks to the faculty who have been incredible mentors,” said Collins. “Their support is why I recommend this program so highly, and it is truly an honor to be the first of many to graduate from such an innovative and exciting program.”