Alumni Spotlight: Melanie Alvarado, BFA

As a child, Melanie Alvarado '26 was captivated by cartoons and animated films. She watched them with both excitement and fascination, curious about how her favorite characters came to life. When she learned about the art of animation, that curiosity grew into a determination to create characters and stories of her own. Unlike many childhood interests that fade over time, hers stayed with her as she began to think about her future.

In 2022, Alvarado applied to UIW's 3D Animation & Game Design (ANGD) program with the intention of becoming an animator. Not long into her freshman year, however, she discovered an unexpected talent for programming. What began as a newfound interest quickly grew into a passion for software engineering.

Throughout her time at UIW, Alvarado's talent and potential were recognized by members of the ANGD faculty, who provided opportunities for her to grow through mentorship and teaching experiences. Immersed in the UIW3D program, Alvarado challenged herself to develop a strong foundation in programming.

Alvarado was awarded Top Performing Engineer as a senior and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2026. Today, her journey continues as a graduate assistant at St. Mary's University while she pursues a master's degree in computer science and engineering.