News Post
Ishil Chaudhary began demonstrating an interest in technology and robotics when he was a chld, starting with building Lego robots.
“Over time, my curiosity grew into a passion for programming and intelligent systems, especially how technology can be used to solve real-world problems like environmental cleanup,” he said.
At College of DuPage, Chaudhary built a strong academic foundation while enjoying the small class sizes. He also pursued coursework through the Honors Program, which pushed him to think more analytically in such classes as calculus and analytic geometry, where he completed an honors contract researching how derivatives were used in ancient India.
COD has been a transformative experience.Ishil Chaudhary
“The Honors Program challenged me academically while giving me a close-knit community of motivated students and faculty,” he said. “I found myself continuing to take honors classes until I completed the Honors Program.”
Chaudhary also appreciated how financially accessible COD was and received additional support through the Yadava Autism Student Success Scholarship offered by the COD Foundation.
“This scholarship provided meaningful financial support as I took on rigorous course loads across multiple semesters,” he said. “Beyond easing the cost of tuition and academic expenses, it reassured me that students on the autism spectrum are valued and supported at COD. Receiving this scholarship gave me confidence as I began my college journey and allowed me to focus more fully on my academic goals and involvement on campus.”
Transferring to Virginia Tech, Chaudhary is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering with a focus on robotics and intelligent systems. His goal is to work in robotics engineering, developing technologies that can be used for environmental sustainability and real-world problem solving.
As for COD, it gave him the opportunity to explore his interests, build leadership experience and prepare for transfer without sacrificing academic rigor. Chaudhary advises other students to take advantage of everything that COD offers, especially the Tutoring and Academic Support Center, student clubs and organizations, and faculty support.
“COD helped me build strong technical skills in programming, mathematics and problem-solving while also encouraging leadership and involvement through clubs and competitions. Personally, it helped me grow in confidence, resilience and self-advocacy as a first-generation student,” he said. “COD has been a transformative experience. The support, opportunities and community helped me believe in my potential and prepared me confidently for the next step in my education.”
