BYLINE: —Kaelyn Ellison, Graduate Student, DePaul University, HCI Researcher & Design Intern, USC ICT
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be in California, working on cutting-edge generative AI in a Department of Defense research lab, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. And yet, here I am—an HCI researcher and design intern in the Learning Sciences group at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, working under Dr. Benjamin Nye on a project that sits exactly at the crossroads of what I care most deeply about: user experience, accessibility, and ethical design.
I’m currently pursuing my graduate degree in Human-Computer Interaction at DePaul University’s Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media. For me, HCI isn’t just an academic discipline—it’s a commitment to narrowing the distance between people and the technologies they depend on. What drew me to this field is the realization that design is never neutral. Every interface carries values, and I want to ensure those values are rooted in empathy, safety, and inclusion.
I discovered ICT through the Department of Defense HBCU/MI Summer Research Internship Program. What stood out immediately about this lab was its dedication to applied innovation—projects here aren’t just technically ambitious; they’re socially conscious. I’m currently contributing to a feature for the PAL3 system that leverages generative AI to micro-tailor educational content to the needs of different learners. Imagine a teacher uploading a gold-standard lesson plan and having our system transform it for a student who learns better visually, or one who needs simplified language without losing nuance. We’re using AI not to replace educators but to extend their capacity to meet students where they are.
My long-term interests sit somewhere between human factors engineering and UX research and design—fields that often speak different languages but are united by a shared goal: to make systems that are not only functional but humane. I want to shape technology that respects the user’s cognitive load, emotional context, and lived experience. In short, I want to make things that matter.
People sometimes ask me what success looks like, and I borrow a term from Japanese philosophy—ikigai. It’s the convergence of what you love, what you’re good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs. I think I’m on that path now. I’ve found work that energizes me intellectually, challenges me technically, and grounds me ethically.
This is also my first time in California, and I’ve been embracing every part of it—from hiking and hitting the gym to connecting with other interns who are just as passionate and curious. I even bought tickets to Anime Expo and am cosplaying—because why not bring your full self to the table? I’ve always been a bit of a nerd, and it’s been refreshing to be in an environment where technical excellence and personal authenticity aren’t at odds.
If I could offer advice to future interns, especially those coming from HBCUs or nontraditional tech pathways, it would be this: embrace the unknown. Say yes to the lunches, the side quests, the unexpected conversations. You’ll learn as much from the people you meet as from the projects you work on. And trust me—this is a place where you’ll find both your people and your purpose.
—Kaelyn Ellison
Graduate Student, DePaul University
HCI Researcher & Design Intern, USC ICT
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