Makenzie Musselman builds inclusive tech leadership path

Makenzie Musselman is combining IT support, software development, and data analytics with a student-led effort to expand early college access in Pennsylvania. Her work at King’s College and her Fast Forward program point to a broader push to create more opportunity for women and LGBTQ+ students in technology.

Why it matters: - Makenzie Musselman is pairing technical training with a plan to widen access to technology education for students who are often underrepresented. - Her work reflects a larger need for early pathways, mentorship, and support systems in tech.

What happened: - Makenzie Musselman is studying Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with a minor in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity. - She works as an Information Technology Support Specialist at King’s College. - She also completed software development internship work at Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies. - Influential Women highlighted Musselman’s profile on October 16, 2026. - Musselman graduated from Dallas Senior High School in 2025 after completing a full year of college credits while still in high school.

The details: - Musselman taught herself technology skills in high school using YouTube tutorials and online resources before moving into formal college coursework. - Her campus IT role includes documenting and resolving technical issues for students, faculty, and alumni. - Her IT work also includes managing technology for campus events. - Her internship experience included modifying files and working with queries in both in-office and remote settings. - Musselman holds Microsoft and Excel certifications. - She has written more than 1,000 lines of code. - She created King’s College’s Fast Forward program. - The Fast Forward program partners with the Young Scholars program. - The program gives high school students a chance to earn up to a full year of college credit before graduation. - The program mirrors Musselman’s own accelerated academic path.

Between the lines: - Musselman’s story shows how early exposure to coursework can shorten the distance between curiosity and career readiness. - Her focus on women and LGBTQ+ students suggests she sees inclusion as part of technical progress, not a separate goal. - Her emphasis on authenticity and mentorship points to the barriers many students still face in male-dominated STEM fields.

What's next: - Musselman hopes to build a platform that supports women and LGBTQ+ people in technology. - She wants to reach students who may not have had the same early access to opportunity and support. - Her next phase appears centered on expanding both her technical skills and her inclusion work.

The bottom line: - Musselman is using her own accelerated path to create a broader pipeline for future tech talent.