Susan Acharya
MSIM
Q: Please tell us about your background and why you decided to come to the iSchool.
A: I earned my undergraduate degree in Communications and minored in Informatics at the University of Washington, which is where I first fell in love with the field of information. I knew then that I wanted to deepen that curiosity and continue my journey. Coming back to the UW for my MSIM felt like coming home — but in an entirely new way. I chose the iSchool because I saw how deeply the professors cared. Just as much as I poured my heart into this program, they poured into me.
When I started the program, I was anxious about post-grad and life felt uncertain. But the iSchool gave me direction. It gave me mentors, community and skills I never imagined I’d develop. Most importantly, it gave me a sense of ambition and drive. Now, I want to keep growing — and I don’t plan to stop.
Q: What excites you about the information field?
A: The ability to create a lasting, meaningful impact is what excites me most. I want the work I do with information to be honest, powerful and worthy, especially for young Nepali and brown girls who might be wondering if they belong in tech. I want them to see me and know they can go even further.
I'm especially drawn to where tech and people intersect — that’s where real empowerment happens. To me, information isn’t just about data or systems; it’s about the people we reach, uplift and build for.
Q: What about your iSchool journey thus far are you most proud of?
A: There’s a moment I’ll never forget: We hosted an in-person panel at the UW to spotlight leadership in tech, and almost every attendee was an online MSIM student. One by one, they told me they came because of me, to support me. That moment told me everything I needed to know about the community I helped build.
Through my work with AIMS, I brought together online and residential students with networking events, game nights and study sessions that made everyone feel like they belonged. Being honored with the Archer Award at graduation, chosen by my peers, was the ultimate recognition of that effort, and one of the proudest moments of my life.
Q: Tell us about an experience you’ve had at the iSchool that has informed or reshaped your career goals.
A: One of the most defining moments for me at the iSchool was taking a consulting course in the MSIM program. With my background in Communications, I’ve always loved working with people and crafting stories that resonate — but this course introduced me to frameworks, tools and ways of thinking that brought structure and strategy to that creativity. It helped me realize that consulting is the perfect intersection of everything I enjoy: collaboration, problem-solving, and creating impact through tailored solutions.
That realization became a reality through my Capstone project with The Incluseum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion in museums. Acting as their consultants, my team and I redesigned their website, transforming their values and mission into a user-centered digital experience. I led the “Values” page, designing icons and layout systems that visually communicated their core beliefs. At the iSchool Showcase, the project ended up receiving the Spark Award for Creativity and the Visionary Lens Award for Insightfulness — two honors that meant so much to me.
Through both the course and the Capstone, I not only discovered my love for consulting, but I also found purpose in using my skills to support communities and causes I believe in. 911±¬ÁĎÍř gave me the confidence, tools and clarity to pursue this path.