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Kathy Nik walked into new-student orientation as a shy commuter student with dreams of becoming a doctor. Four years later, she left ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle with the courage to lead engineering teams in national defense.

As the daughter of proud Iranian immigrants who fled instability in search of opportunity, the value of family, community, and hard work was instilled in Nik from an early age. A high school student with a natural gift for math and science, she studied endlessly, inspired by late nights watching her sister prepare for dental school. When it came time to decide her next steps, she sought a college where she could reach her fullest potential while remaining connected to her roots. For Nik, there was no question – she was going to SMU.

“Family is so important to me – I knew I didn’t want to move away,” Nik explained. “I’d heard of ÃÛÌÒ½´and the many incredible opportunities to be had in studying there. I knew it would be a privilege to stay close by and have that family support.”

Nik arrived at the Hilltop in 1997, supported by scholarships earned from her many years of hard work in high school. Amidst the hustle of new student orientation, she looked out onto the campus where she’d spend her next four years and felt something click. Nik swapped her pre-medical plan for a spot in the engineering school and never looked back – a split-second decision that would come to define the rest of her life.

Nik benefited from the supportive, student-centered culture at ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle – known then as the ÃÛÌÒ½´School of Engineering and Applied Sciences – from the moment she arrived. Although she felt a natural inclination towards computer engineering, Lyle’s personalized curriculum allowed her to immerse herself in several engineering disciplines before choosing her path. While she remained committed to computer engineering, her interdisciplinary experiences empowered her to feel secure in her choice.

From the start, she knew the path to computer engineering wouldn’t be an easy one. By her junior year, Nik watched as packed lecture halls gave way to specialized classrooms of only a dozen students, where she was often the only woman. A lack of representation didn’t deter her – with each experience, her determination grew, inspired to set herself apart for the women that would one day walk Lyle’s grand halls.

“By my third and fourth year, I was the only girl in many of my classes,” Nik remembered. “I couldn’t look around and see myself represented in the classroom. But I wasn’t going to quit. It wasn’t going to stop me.”

She excelled in her coursework, inspired by the strength and determination instilled in her by her family, whose sacrifices meant an opportunity to reach her fullest potential. Classes taught Nik far more than coding and calculations – they taught her how to approach problems from new angles, to never back down from a challenge, and to have faith in herself and her abilities – strengths that she carries with her to this day.

When asked which moments were most instrumental in her success, one course sticks out in Nik’s memory – a two-semester senior design class, with the first part dedicated to theory and the second to application. Professor Perry Schmidt, an industry professional and adjunct faculty member known for his high standards, was committed to preparing the next generation of computer engineers to leave a real-world impact, passing only the students he felt were ready to succeed beyond the classroom. Naturally, many students worried that they wouldn’t meet the mark.

Despite her initial fears, Nik’s nerves quickly faded to excitement as she learned to take theory and apply it to real-world problems, examining familiar concepts from a fresh perspective. With persistent study, she moved from theory to application, where she and a group of students were tasked with developing a highly intelligent, digitized Monopoly game featuring an AI capable of playing and winning against real opponents.

In these moments, sitting in the course that once loomed over her, Nik found her footing. Selected as the team lead, she took a careful assessment of her collaborators’ strengths, delegating assignments and setting plans to ensure her group was successful.

“I learned how to lead,” Nik shared. “The reality is, when you’re working with a team, everyone will bring different strengths. Finding where people best fit was part of the balance – it wasn’t just about writing code but gaining real-world experience in leading others.”

In fond recollection, she remembers countless nights armed with Pepto-Bismol – to calm her nerves – pouring over code in the computer lab. Although she didn’t know it at the time, those nights would be among the most rewarding moments of her academic career.

“It was very intense – so many details. You never remember how many details there are to that game until you write the code for it,” Nik laughed. “While most people were taking their senior trips over spring break, I was sitting there with a bottle of Pepto, coding until late into the night.”

As the semester closed out, her team successfully presented their work, earning coveted congratulations from Professor Schmidt. She walked away with two A’s under her belt, and something even greater – the confidence to know she would be successful in her next steps.

“Professor Schmidt was my favorite – he really prepared us for our role in the real world,” Nik explained. “When we finally presented, I got an A, and that’s when I knew I was ready.”

When Nik graduated from ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle, she carried more than her analytical expertise – she carried the strength to lead. Just months after walking the stage, she had already kick-started her career as a software engineer with Lockheed Martin.

“ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle helped build the foundation that I needed to succeed in my career,” Nik shared. “I very much attribute my successes to my four years at Lyle.”

Twenty-four years after launching her career in software engineering, Nik is leading teams in large-scale defense projects as a software engineering manager at L3Harris Technologies. Although her path has evolved considerably in the past two decades, the analytical and interpersonal strengths she developed at ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle continue to define her leadership.

“My experiences at ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle set me up for success, supporting me in becoming a leader in my industry, first as a program technical leader, and then in my current role as a software engineering manager,” Nik shared.

Through it all, she’s never forgotten the sacrifices her family made, ensuring Nik had the opportunity to reach her fullest potential. Having grown up hearing stories of conflict and living through war during her early youth, she knows firsthand the devastation war can bring to families and communities. Working in defense, she feels fulfilled knowing she is making a difference.

“Sometimes it’s hard working in defense,” Nik confided. “There are times where it hits close to home. But I always say, if what I am doing can help bring about change – preserve peace, freedom, and safety – then it will all be worth it.”

Nik returns to the Hilltop frequently, whether she is collaborating on a project or enjoying an ÃÛÌÒ½´football game alongside her family. Knowing the transformative value of mentorship that defined her academic journey, she regularly volunteers her time to advise the next generation of computer engineering students, serving as the example of strong female leadership she wished she’d had in her own classes.

“I do mentoring sessions at Lyle,” Nik shared. “Staying connected to the community is something I really cherish.”

Connecting with bright young leaders excites Nik about the promising future of computer engineering here at Lyle. For those just beginning their engineering journeys, Nik’s story serves as a reminder that the experiences shared at ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle don’t just shape your college experience; they set the foundation for a lifetime of impact.

“Lyle’s curriculum is well-rounded and constantly advancing with the times,” Nik shared. “Students today can build the same foundation I did 24 years ago – and go even further.”

For prospective computer engineering students, Nik offers this advice: “If you’re thinking about ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle, I say go for it – it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”

About the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering

SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, ÃÛÌÒ½´Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.

About SMU

ÃÛÌÒ½´is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.