Voices of UNH Manchester Wildcats Series: Jackie Ebel '25 Shares Her Journey into Tech

At UNH Manchester, some of the most inspiring innovators are right in our classrooms. One of them is Jackie Ebel ’25, a computer science major whose love for coding began long before college and has since grown into a clear path toward a future in automation. From early experimentation with HTML as a kid to building real‑world software projects on campus, Jackie’s journey is a testament to curiosity, persistence, and the power of finding the right academic community.

Finding a Spark in Early Internet Culture 

Jackie's interest in computing began long before college. Growing up in the early 2000s, she spent hours on web‑based games where she could customize profiles using simple HTML and CSS. Watching her ideas appear instantly on screen felt exciting and empowering. 

“I loved the idea of being able to write something down and have it show up on screen.” 

That early fascination set the foundation for her future. 

A Seamless Transfer: From Nashua Community College to UNH Manchester 

Jackie’s path to UNH Manchester began at Nashua Community College, where she built her academic foundation before transferring. Like many transfer students, she wondered how her credits would fit into a new program and how the transition would feel. But arriving at UNH Manchester, she found support at every step. 

“UNH worked with me to accept my credits and to figure out my degree moving forward.” 

That’s something that sets UNH Manchester apart. Our admissions, advising, and academic teams work closely with transfer students to ensure their previous coursework counts and their path forward feels clear. 

Learning by Doing in the Computer Science Program 

At UNH Manchester, Jackie quickly discovered that the computer science program is designed for hands‑on learning. Small classes and close interaction with faculty mean students aren’t just learning theory; they’re building meaningful projects that mirror real‑world work. 

A standout moment for Jackie was a software development course with Professor Mihayla. Rather than focusing solely on syntax or isolated tasks, the class emphasized teamwork, program design, and solving problems that matter. Jackie’s team chose to tackle air quality, connecting computing to an environmental challenge affecting communities everywhere. 

Through this project, Jackie saw how computing can directly improve lives, an insight that strengthened her confidence in her future career. 

A Campus That Feels Like Community 

One of the things Jackie loves most about UNH Manchester is the tight‑knit feel of campus life. 

“The campus is a lot smaller… I get to know everyone in my degree.” 

This environment allows students to collaborate, form friendships, and build strong relationships with faculty who support them academically and professionally. In a field like computing, where teamwork drives innovation, this sense of community becomes a major strength. 

Looking Ahead: A Career in Automation