Computer Engineer — former students now at top companies like NVIDIA

Americo M.

Students return week after week, and some I’ve mentored now work at top tech companies like NVIDIA. I have been programming since the early 1980s and began studying what we now call AI algorithms in the late ’80s, back when they were known as numerical analysis and used to predict outcomes from data. At the time, we lacked the computing power to fully implement them, but I learned how to think about data, probability, and intelligent systems long before “AI” became mainstream. That perspective allows me to teach not just coding, but also critical thinking in an AI-driven world.

Over the years I have built a reputation for proven results. Many students return for long-term mentorship, and I prepare them for success not only in classes but in real-world applications. From microcontrollers and robotics to advanced programming in Python, C, C++, Java, C#, .NET, SQL, and Web Development, I help learners master today’s technologies while building the mindset to adapt to tomorrow’s. My background also includes algorithms, optimization, machine learning, and cybersecurity, giving students practical skills in secure coding, system design, and problem-solving.

I hold a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and have worked across industries for more than 30 years as a Senior Software Engineer and Consultant. Beyond my career, I have served as a STEM mentor, robotics advisor, NSF symposium judge, and guest speaker at schools and universities. Teaching has always been central to who I am, from helping classmates and junior engineers to supporting med school researchers and even homeschooling my daughter. My mission is to help students understand not only the “how” but also the “why,” equipping them to thrive in an AI-driven future.