Skip to main content
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff

Footer quick links

  • Request Info
  • Plan a Visit
  • Apply Now
  • About
    • Campus Departments
    • Campus Map
    • Community Commitments
    • History of Westmont
    • Institutes & Centers
    • Ridley-Tree Museum of Art
    • Leadership
    • College Profile
    • News
    • Westmont Magazine
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
    • Visit
  • Academics
    • Majors and Programs
    • Our Approach
    • Experience Opportunities
    • Global Education
    • Outcomes
    • Academic Services
    • Voskuyl Library
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Affording College
    • Apply to Westmont
    • Visit Westmont
    • Transfer Students
    • International Students
    • Admitted Students
    • Fall Orientation
    • Prospective Parents
    • Meet your Counselor
    • Confirm your Place
    • Words of Warriors
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
  • Student Life
    • Student Spotlights
    • Words of Warriors
    • CATlab
    • Living on Campus
    • On Campus Activities
    • Off Campus Activities
    • Career Development & Calling
    • Ministries
      • Request Info
      • Plan a Visit
      • Apply Now
  • Giving
    • Why Give?
    • Where to Give
    • How to Give
    • Giving Societies
    • Contact Us
      • Give Today
  • Athletics

CATLab

  • CATLab Home
    • About

Be A Multiplier: James's Story

By
Laura Phillips

Since we’re just one week away from Be A Multiplier (BAM), our coding day for junior high and high schoolers, we asked one of our developers, James, to share some thoughts on why empowering others is so crucial to the CATLab’s mission.

From the beginning of the CATLab, James has expressed his passion for empowering people, especially minorities, to get involved in technology and innovation. When we took a trip to Knapp’s Castle to discuss our identity as a team, James was one of the biggest proponents for including “empowering others” in the final team statement. You can hear him talk about the trip in our Knapp’s Castle video.

James’s passion is deeply rooted in his own story: He described how one of the teachers he had in senior year of high school “went on a rant about the lack of minorities and other groups that weren’t represented within the tech field” and then challenged his class to go out and “do something about it.” As a first-generation college student, James considers his education one of his biggest blessings. “I’m not the only person that desires to do something with what I’ve been given,” he went on:

“Here at the CATLab, our goal is to show people that they’re capable of innovating through tech… our goal is that they convince themselves not just that they can program, but that they can bring greater impact to their community and even to the world at large.”

James is keen to pass on the empowerment he received, and he’s particularly excited to spend a day dedicated to doing just that: At Be A Multiplier, he (along with the rest of the CATLab developers) will have the chance to introduce a group of younger students to the Salesforce platform. “I honestly really love working with youths,” he said. “I look forward to answering their questions, because I know that I was in a similar position.” He remembers his own uncertainty, his own doubts about his ability to pick up a new language and program in it, and he’s excited to help others gain confidence. “Most of all,” he said, “I just want to encourage them in their craft and help wherever I can.”

Thinking beyond BAM, James and our social media manager, Olivia, are also putting together plans for a community group that will allow high schoolers to gain experience in Salesforce throughout the school year. Part of the group’s goal is to “prepare the next wave of student developers”, but its hopes go beyond simply laying the groundwork for the CATLab next summer. The group will “continue the mission of Be A Multiplier”—it will empower students to innovate within their communities.

By the way, if you haven’t already signed up, it’s not too late to register for BAM, or for our Enabling Impact conference!

Be a Multiplier  Enabling Impact

Excited about how the CATLab is empowering the community? To learn more, follow our social media!

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Facebook

LinkedIn


Filed under

Catlab

Footer links menu

  • Request Info
  • Plan a Visit
  • Apply Now

Footer Utility menu

  • Employment
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Emergency Info
  • Feedback

955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108 

805-565-6000

Contact Us

 

Social media menu

©2019
Westmont College - All rights reserved