Samsung Innovation Campus Learner Spotlight: Jang Mok

STEM skills are foundational to the careers shaping the future. Yet access to quality technology education remains uneven, leaving many students without the tools or confidence to compete. Samsung research underscores the urgency: while 88% of teachers recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) is important for students' future careers, more than half report lacking formal training in the subject.

To help close this gap, Samsung Electronics America invests in programs like Samsung Innovation Campus. Designed to equip students with practical skills in coding, programming and emerging technologies, the program provides learners with the tools and confidence to pursue careers in STEM.

As demand for technical skills continues to grow, particularly with the rise of AI, access to these opportunities is increasingly critical. Many students still face barriers, from cost to limited access to inclusive learning environments, that make entering these fields more challenging. Samsung Innovation Campus aims to address these challenges by offering free, hands-on education that meets students where they are.

For this edition of the Samsung Innovation Campus Learner Spotlight series, the US Newsroom spoke with Jang Luis Mok about his experience in the Coding and Programming course and how it is shaping his future.

"My name is Jang Luis Mok. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I moved to Teaneck, 2 years ago."

Jang is currently studying General Studies, Natural Sciences & Mathematics at Bergen Community College and plans to continue his education at a four-year university, with interests spanning computer science, physics, and electrical and computer engineering. His interest in technology began at an early age through exposure to computers and video games, which sparked a curiosity about how they were built, even after early challenges in related coursework. But Jang noted, "When this opportunity came up I took it without any doubt in my mind. I felt like this moment was the one I could have to learn more about programming."

Before joining Samsung Innovation Campus, Jang faced challenges that made pursuing STEM more difficult, particularly navigating language barriers in the classroom. He reflected on his time at Samsung Innovation Campus, noting, "…Having a professor that speaks the same language as you completely makes a difference."

Through the program, he has developed foundational skills in data structures and algorithms-concepts he sees as critical for future careers in technology-while also benefiting from a collaborative learning environment alongside his peers. Jang noted, "Many of my classmates are on the same boat as me. We all try our best to learn this topic and also to help each other no matter what."