Hello, my name is Patrick Govan, and I am from Highland Township, a small western suburb of Detroit, MI. Growing up with two older brothers was quite challenging, but it taught me resilience. My childhood was filled with sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and track and field. During my free time, I enjoyed hanging out with friends, riding bikes, or playing video games.
Throughout my academic journey, I consistently sought to challenge myself. Whether it was taking honors courses in middle school or AP courses in high school, I continuously pushed my limits. I took Physics early in high school during my sophomore year, which sparked a profound interest in understanding how the world functions. Applying mathematical equations to daily life was fascinating and motivated me to pursue further studies in Physics. I took AP Physics in my junior year and a dual-enrolled Physics course at the local community college in my senior year.
Naturally, my next step was to enroll at Michigan State University to pursue a degree in Physics. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in college that I was assigned homework in Python, which ignited a new passion for coding. While continuing my Physics courses, I also began taking more coding classes, ultimately culminating in a publication involving computer vision and a minor in Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (CMSE). My desire to delve deeper into programming led me to pursue a Master's in Data Science at Michigan State University.
While working on my Master's degree, I had the opportunity to serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant each semester within the CMSE department. This role fostered a newfound enthusiasm for teaching. Translating complex mathematical and coding concepts to students from diverse backgrounds was immensely rewarding, especially witnessing their "aha" moments. Since childhood, I have always challenged myself, and that passion continues to drive me today. Each day, I strive to expand both my educational and professional horizons.