2026 Tech 10 Award Recipients

	Mohammed Alabdali College: Whitacre College of Engineering Major: Mechanical Engineering Looking back, Texas Tech gave me something far more important than a degree: the permission to be curious. Through my research and founding TEDxTexasTech, I realized we can't just ask for the world we want to see; we have to build it. And Texas Tech was the ultimate proving ground: the place that gave me the space, the belief, and the backing to actually do it. After graduation, I want to help solve the quiet isolation so many students face. I plan to spend my time building Classed to give them a space where they feel genuinely seen and connected.
	Affan Anas College: College of Arts & Sciences Major: Economics & Mathematics Honestly, so much of my success here came down to the people around me. The Economics Department and Honors College gave me an open door, with faculty who were genuinely invested in me as a person, and that environment gave me the confidence to pursue my own independent research project. The Muslim Student Association gave me a family, with medical students who took me under their wing and are still walking with me through a journey that hasn't always gone according to plan. On a path as unconventional as mine, there were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, and it was these communities that kept me going. Tech didn't just give me a degree. It gave me the people I needed to figure out who I was becoming. After graduating, I'll be heading to UT Austin to pursue my master's in economics and applying for medical school. Wish me luck!
	Jackson Chapman College: J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual and Performing Arts Major: Theatre Arts Texas Tech helped me grow into a storyteller by giving me the freedom to explore multiple creative disciplines and the support to connect them. Through performance, directing, and photography, I developed a stronger sense of my voice and how I want to tell stories that resonate with people. After graduation, I plan to move to Los Angeles to start a career as an actor for film, TV, and theatre. Alongside that, I plan to continue growing as a photographer: building my portfolio, collaborating with other artists, and telling stories that complement and expand my work as a performer.
	Dayra Figueroa-Agosto College: College of Arts & Sciences Major: Biochemistry Texas Tech has helped me succeed in a multitude of ways, including providing me with extensive research opportunities, exciting coursework, and numerous leadership opportunities, as well as connecting me with individuals who have inspired me and changed me for the better. I know that I will use the valuable skills I have gained through these experiences as I pursue my medical degree at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center this fall.
	Helena Garza College: College of Arts & Sciences Major: Biology Texas Tech gave me the foundation to grow into both a scientist and a leader by providing opportunities to explore my interests, get involved, and challenge myself. Along the way, I was supported by mentors, advisors, and friends who encouraged me, pushed me to grow, and made my experience truly meaningful. I'm incredibly grateful for the community I found at Tech and the role it played in shaping who I am today. After graduation, I will continue conducting research and leading projects before applying to Ph.D. programs in material science and engineering or bioengineering, where I hope to further develop my skills and pursue a career in research.
	Anum Javeed College: College of Health & Human Sciences Major: Early Childhood Education Texas Tech gave me both the foundation and the confidence to succeed by combining meaningful classroom learning with hands-on experience that prepared me for real-world impact. Through supportive mentors, transformative opportunities, and friendships that have shaped me fundamentally, I've grown into both an educator and a leader. After graduation, I will begin my career as an early childhood educator teaching Pre-K at Bright Academy, an IB School in Frisco ISD. In this role, I hope to create inclusive, engaging learning environments that foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in young children. I aim to pursue a Master's in Educational Leadership or Policy after gaining experience in the classroom.
	Shravani Koli Colleges: Whitacre College of Engineering & College of Arts & Sciences Majors: Computer Science & Mathematics Texas Tech University helped me succeed by creating an environment where I felt supported before I had proven anything, opening doors to opportunities, mentorship, and leadership experiences that transformed me from a quiet, reserved student into someone confident enough to lead, teach, and give back to the community. After graduation, I will be pursuing my master's in financial engineering at New York University (NYU), where I hope to continue building on the foundation Texas Tech gave me while striving to become a mentor who opens doors for others, just as they were opened for me.
	Atharva Lade Colleges: Whitacre College of Engineering & College of Arts & Sciences Majors: Computer Science & Mathematics Texas Tech served as the ultimate launchpad that empowered me to proudly wear the Red Raider badge across the globe. The university's culture of innovation fueled my journey to win thirteen international hackathons and deliver speeches at global technology conferences. Texas Tech trusted my boldest visions, providing the essential resources to transform the Google Developer Groups into the largest Computer Science organization on campus. Through architecting initiatives like HackWesTX and securing the prestigious Presidential Leadership Award, TTU gave me the exact platform to turn ambitious ideas into tangible impact and elevate my peers. After graduation, I will be developing technologies to drive humanity forward and impact millions daily. Furthermore, I plan to continue my impactful work as a top open-source contributor to the Apache Software Foundation and scale my consumer applications.
	Nicholas Morris College: Honors College & College of Arts & Sciences Major: Honors Sciences & the Humanities & Philosophy My time at Texas Tech has challenged me to seize each opportunity and taught me the power of synthesizing hard work and community. While I entered Texas Tech unsure of what I could accomplish, as a graduate, I am confident that from here, anything is possible! Following graduation, I will serve Lubbock as a College Ministry Resident at Redeemer Church while pursuing a master's in divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
	Lance Nicholas College: Davis College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources Major: Agricultural Education Texas Tech provided me with numerous experiences that I never thought were available. This institution has helped me succeed all through my time here because there was always an answer to "what's next?" After graduation, I will continue with my academics by working as a graduate research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, all in the hope that I will become a high school agricultural science teacher.