{"id":9464,"date":"2025-12-11T08:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T16:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/?p=9464"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T20:22:11","slug":"student-spotlight-spencer-barton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/2025\/12\/11\/student-spotlight-spencer-barton\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Spotlight: Spencer Barton"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"breadcrumbs\" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\">\r\n\t<!-- Breadcrumb NavXT 7.2.0 -->\n<span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.\" href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">Voiland College<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Voiland College Student Success.\" href=\"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">Voiland College Student Success<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div><header class=\"wsu-article-header \">\r\n\t<h1 class=\"wsu-article-header__title\">\r\n\t\tStudent Spotlight: <br>Spencer Barton\t<\/h1>\r\n\t\t<\/header>\r\n\n\n\n<p>What makes Washington State University&#8217;s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture stand out from the crowd for those looking to get a degree?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ask computer engineering major Spencer Barton for his thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap wsu-spacing-after--xxmedium\">\r\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlap__container\">\r\n\t\t\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap__column  wsu-overlap--surface-column\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n        \n<div class=\"wp-block-image  wsu-image--style-framed\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"792\" height=\"792\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-792x792.jpeg\" alt=\"Spencer Barton.\" class=\"wp-image-9466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-792x792.jpeg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-396x396.jpeg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-198x198.jpeg 198w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-vcea\/uploads\/sites\/3466\/2025\/11\/Spencer-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\" wsu-overlap__column  wsu-overlap--surface-column wsu-overlap--overlap-xxmedium\">\r\n    <div class=\"wsu-overlap__column-inner\">\r\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wsu-hide--tablet\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-container wsu-dropshadow--medium wsu-color-background--white wsu-spacing-top--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-right--xmedium wsu-spacing-padding-left--xmedium wsu-spacing-bottom--sxxsmall\" >\r\n    \n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Major:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/degrees.wsu.edu\/degree\/computer-engineering\/\">Computer Engineering<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expected Date of Graduation:<\/strong>&nbsp;December 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High School:<\/strong>&nbsp;Eastside Catholic High School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hometown:<\/strong> Sammamish, WA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scholarships:<\/strong> \n<ul>\n<li>Washington College Grant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Institutional Grant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\t<\/div> \r\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What made you decide to attend WSU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p> WSU offers the perfect balance between a strong academic environment and a welcoming college-town atmosphere. I wanted a school known for producing well-rounded engineers, and WSU&#8217;s in-state accessibility, community, and support for innovation made it the clear choice as I pursued computer engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What has been your favorite class or program that you have been involved with at WSU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite class at the university has been Microelectronics (EE 311) with professor Dan Berco. His teaching style and mentorship had a huge impact on me, and I built a strong connection with him during the course. EE 311 was the first class where I felt like a true engineer \u2014 taking abstract theory and applying it directly to real applications in the class. Professor Berco&#8217;s guidance gave me the confidence to approach complex engineering problems with precision and resilience, pushing me to grow as both a problem solver and a future professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another course that left a lasting impression was Calculus I (Math 171) with professor Eric Ramaley, my first math course at WSU. His encouragement motivated me to actively participate in class, ask questions, and attend office hours. The confidence I gained in Calculus I carried over into more advanced courses and inspired me to help my peers by teaching and explaining math concepts. That early foundation in math set the tone for the rest of my engineering education. Both experiences reinforced my decision to stay motivated and pursue computer engineering with determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Have you participated in any research projects related to your field of study?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. During my freshman year, I began developing an emotional AI assistant project called Jazmin, which has grown into a long-term research and development effort. I started the project out of curiosity and a desire to apply what I was learning in computer engineering to something more personal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Built entirely in Python, I later collaborated with another team member to expand her capabilities. Together, we explored areas such as speech recognition, emotional language processing, and real-time audio handling, with a focus on making Jazmin feel more like a digital personality than just a tool. The project required me to combine hardware\/software integration, GUI design, and system optimization while also experimenting with context awareness, emotional modeling, and human-computer interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting this as a freshman taught me to take initiative early, and working with a teammate helped me learn how to collaborate, divide responsibilities, and iterate effectively. Jazmin has become more than just a side project\u2014it has been a research experience that pushed me to problem-solve, innovate, and apply engineering concepts in ways that go far beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">Why would you recommend attending Washington State University?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I would recommend WSU because of its strong sense of community and the support students receive both inside and outside the classroom. The professors here are approachable and genuinely invested in student success, which has made a big difference in my education. I have benefitted from hands-on learning opportunities, challenging coursework, and mentorship from faculty who pushed me to grow as both a problem solver and a leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond academics, WSU has given me the chance to connect with peers, collaborate on projects, and build relationships that have shaped my college experience. The environment here has prepared me not just to succeed in my major, but to carry forward the confidence and skills I&#8217;ll need in my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>My advice to prospective students is to approach computer engineering at WSU with curiosity and persistence. Don&#8217;t be afraid to ask questions in class, visit professors during office hours, and build strong relationships with your instructors. They truly want to see you succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take advantage of hands-on projects, whether in labs or your own, because applying what you learn makes the concepts stick and gives you confidence. Starting early on side projects or research can also make a big difference when it comes time to apply for internships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, it&#8217;s important to find balance. Engineering can be demanding, but making time for friends, clubs, or simply enjoying life outside of academics will keep you motivated. College is about growth in and out of the classroom, so stay organized, lean on your peers, and remember that resilience and consistency are just as important as technical skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading  wsu-font-size--large\">What do you want to do with your degree after you graduate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After graduation, I want to use my degree to design and build technologies that make life for others more connected, efficient, and intelligent. My goal is to work in embedded systems and hardware\/software integration, where I can bridge the gap between innovation and practical application. I want to be on the front lines of technology that transforms how people live and interact with the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spencer Barton is a computer engineering major graduating in December 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14162,"featured_media":9466,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null},"categories":[570],"tags":[599],"wsuwp_university_location":[332],"wsuwp_university_org":[501,443],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9464"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14162"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9464"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10047,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9464\/revisions\/10047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9464"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=9464"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vcea.wsu.edu\/student-success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=9464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}