Atayliya Irving was raised in Dallas, Texas, and is currently a rising third-year PhD student at the University of Florida (UF) in the Engineering Education Department. She is concurrently pursuing a master’s degree in computer science education. She completed her bachelor's degree at Jackson State University in the spring of 2022. Atayliya is passionate about increasing participation in STEM+C fields, which has been a primary motivator for her decision to pursue interdisciplinary research. She is particularly interested in studying the trajectories of black women in computing and aspires to create more opportunities and pathways for underrepresented groups in STEM+C fields, addressing systemic barriers that hinder their full potential. Through her research, Atayliya aims to understand the experiences of black women in computing, their challenges, successes, and the strategies they use to overcome obstacles. She seeks to build a foundation of evidence-based knowledge that can inform policy and practice, ultimately leading to a more equitable and inclusive STEM+C community. Atayliya also values mentorship and is actively involved as a mentor in the Our Future is Science program. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and crafts like crocheting and sewing.