David Keiser-Clark, Program Manager

I manage the Makerspace, FabLab, and HPCC programs as inclusive communities of practice. I mentor my student workers as they engage in critical making using traditional and emerging technologies to complete complex projects. We support and collaborate with faculty, students, and staff on curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular projects and departmental initiatives. I teach my student workers to embrace failure, learn, and fail better. I am a staff member with the Office for Information Technology.

— Read: David’s blog posts

Student Workers

Mariama Bah ‘29, Makerspace

When I came to Williams, I was worried that I’d have to abandon my interest in engineering and design. It’s thanks to the Makerspace that I’ve been able to continue pursuing what I love in a new way. One of my favorite aspects of being a Makerspace worker has been being able to interact with the Williams community, meeting and helping new people every shift. The Makerspace has been an excellent way to start my college career, and I’m proud to call myself a Student Worker.

— Read: Mariama’s blog posts

Rae Bravo-Contreras ‘28, FabLab

The FabLab is a place where I can give back to my community in a niche and creative way. I love that I get to meet new people each shift and try my hand at creative work in the process. Working here has really exposed me to the wider Williams community. Some of my favorite moments are when I’m not quite sure how to tackle a problem, because I might not be as well-versed in a specific craft a student needs help with, and we figure out together how to make it work. I also love that I can share what I am good at with the wider community. A month after I co-led a beginner crochet workshop with Annie, one of the participants came back to the FabLab to ask for help with a new crochet project she was working on. She thanked me for hosting the workshop and for teaching her this new craft she had fallen in love with. That’s what the impact of the FabLab is: to build strong bonds between students, faculty, and staff, and to share the love of art and creativity with one another.

— Read: Rae’s blog posts

Davi Canez ‘27, FabLab

Within my time on this campus, I’ve found difficulty finding a place for self expression. Funnily enough, as someone studying Studio Art, it’s pretty difficult to find an almost completely student run studio but the FabLab is one of those places on campus that is open to any and all students with the purpose of allowing for a diverse amount of creativity from anyone. Oftentimes, I’ve found myself having difficulty crossing the discipline or division lines drawn by what we as students individually study but with this space on campus I’ve gotten to meet and help students from countless different walks of life and paths beyond my own that have given me that “liberal arts” social experience. Within this space, I’ve gotten to experience people laughing with each other after just meeting because they came in at the same time. My friends come to my open hours and meet new people with me, and I’m growing my own skills facilitating a safe and comfortable environment for people to express themselves freely and openly!

— Read: Davi’s blog posts

Uma Champe ‘28, FabLab

For me the FabLab has become an essential space to create, learn and collaborate. I have always loved to craft and to now be around so many passionate creators and artists with so many materials at our disposal keeps me continuously inspired. The FabLab offers the time and space to breathe, connect and create in our often hectic and busy lives. And since it’s so close to the heart of campus it makes it easy to stop by and craft, no matter for how long. It is at the FabLab where I learned and honed skills like embroidery, sewing and collaging that I can now share with others, which is the most rewarding feeling of all. It is a gift to have a space where students share their knowledge with others and collaborate to create beautiful things for themselves and the people they care about. I feel so lucky to be a part of this community, one that wouldn’t be possible without the FabLab.

— Read: Uma’s blog posts

Alexa Hanson ‘26, Communications Coordinator

The FabLab is a space outside of the traditional learning environment where I have the opportunity to work with other students and faculty to expand knowledge and use of the organization, as well as my own creative skills. Working with David is very inspiring to see, as he has been able to build the creative space and expand overall usership. His advocacy for students and dedication to the work done at the FabLab and makerspace is invaluable to see in a mentor at Williams and for other students as well.

— Read: Alexa’s blog posts

Alessandra Harrington ‘28, FabLab

The FabLab is a pocket of pure, immaculate creativity tucked inside Sawyer Library, once a space you might have passed with only subtle intrigue, or perhaps not noticed at all. Today, it has blossomed into a welcoming and affirming environment where artists, makers, and curious beginners alike are encouraged to explore fabrication paths that may have once felt inaccessible or intimidating. Through frequent entry-level workshops, the FabLab introduces students to a wide range of mixed-media practices, including felting, crocheting, heat pressing, patch-making, and beyond. As a student worker, the FabLab has become my most meaningful outlet not only for creative expression, but also a calm yet vibrant space filled with opportunity and a growing community of like-minded students rooted in curiosity and mutual support.

— Read: Alessandra’s blog posts

Kefa Hailu Kassahun ‘29, Makerspace

The Makerspace has been impactful for me, offering a hands-on environment where creativity shines. It allows me to bring ideas to real life through different projects. As someone passionate about robotics, I can say that access to state-of-the-art equipment gave me the opportunity to explore the field further. It offers endless learning opportunities through unique projects spanning different fields. Whether it is printing a 3D model of an object or programming microcontrollers, the Makerspace gives me the tools and freedom to bring ideas to life.

— Read: Kefa’s blog posts

Maria King ‘29, Makerspace

Lorem ipsom…

— Read: Maria’s blog posts

Catherine Li ‘28, Makerspace

The Makerspace is the ideal environment for a non-STEM student at Williams to gain hands-on experience in fields they would otherwise have limited exposure to. I have opportunities to work with a variety of tools and machines and the learning process is both engaging and empowering. Whether it’s using a 3D printer for prototyping or working with softwares to troubleshoot, the Makerspace allows me to develop practical skills that complement my academic studies. As I navigate challenges while working on a project—whether troubleshooting a print failure or refining a design—I develop resilience and adaptability, skills that extend beyond technical work. Ultimately, the Makerspace broadens my learning experience, giving me the freedom to explore ideas and turn concepts into tangible projects.

— Read: Catherine’s blog posts

Ari Merrill ‘29, FabLab

The FabLab is a place I can connect with others interested in creativity and sustainability. I’ve had wonderful experiences teaching students and members of the larger Williams community how to create all sorts of crafts, and I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from others and expand my own skill set. It’s an empowering feeling to be able to mend your own clothes or tinker with a machine to fix it rather than outsourcing. I love when students who have had good experiences during my open hours continue reaching out to me for help with future projects, and I’ve made many friends in the FabLab who I likely wouldn’t have met otherwise. I love that the FabLab can be a space for creative activism, learning life skills, or simply making a gift for a loved one — and no matter what you’re there for, you’re sure to find a great community to work with!

— Read: Ari’s blog posts

Audrey Riddle ‘26, FabLab

The FabLab makes such a positive contribution to campus because it brings people together and it’s just fun! I think everything I’ve made in the FabLab has helped someone smile or feel cared about; I’ve printed fun shirts for my team before heading to NCAAs, made small gifts when a friend needs a boost, and shared lots of laughs and good stories with people at my workshops. This contribution to community and lifting people up is what makes it meaningful to me.

— Read: Audrey’s blog posts

Cindy Romero ‘27, Communications Coordinator

I value the ability to connect with other students who share similar interests, along with those who don’t. The Makerspace and Fablab create an environment where students like me can share collective ideas and bring them together in a truly creative space. As someone who is passionate about communication and marketing while studying Environmental Studies, it can be challenging to break into the field without formal “experience.” Fortunately, this student-driven space has allowed me to contribute my creative input while building meaningful experience for future opportunities. It’s a safe space where my contributions and ideas are valued. I see the Makerspace as a place where students truly have the ability to “run the show”, making it the perfect environment for turning enthusiasm and ideas into reality. I believe David sees potential in students and entrusts them with roles that encourage real growth. I felt that he saw potential in me, which gave me the freedom to create flyers, help manage projects, and communicate within the group. Through this experience, I have worked with amazing people and learned from them, strengthening my ability to collaborate in a team-based environment.

— Read: Cindy’s blog posts

Stepher Sabio ‘28, Makerspace

Makerspace /ˈmākərˌspās/ a home away from home.
If my own dictionary existed, that is how I would define ‘Makerspace.’ Often people forget that the truest form of themselves exists in their own home. The place where stereotypical expectations and societal pressure cannot reach. A place where oneself can be liberally expressed without pretense and the usual facade. The moment I step into the Makerspace, ‘judgement’ never existed in the dictionary. The joy instantaneously enters my body. I feel safe—at home, to be exact. The nerdiness and weirdness (in a good way) paradoxically, breaks free from the shackles of ‘what’ and ‘how’ things should be. It is a safe space where you can be greater without having the need to change who you are.

— Read: Stepher’s blog posts

Divya Sijwali ‘28, Blogging Coordinator

When I first joined Makerspace, I imagined myself tinkering with 3D printers, mastering high-tech machines, and maybe even accidentally melting a few things along the way. But instead, when I mentioned my love for writing, David saw potential I hadn’t even realized myself. He encouraged me to become a writing tutor for Makerspace, and just like that, my experience here took an unexpected turn. Now, instead of printing models, I get to craft stories. Instead of gears and circuits, I work with words, ideas, and the incredible people behind them. Every week feels like writing a fresh chapter of an ongoing novel—filled with interviews, interactions, and the raw creativity of my peers. Through blogs, I don’t just document projects; I get a backstage pass into the minds of makers, hearing the spark behind their innovations. Somewhere between these conversations and keystrokes, I’ve made friends, discovered inspiration, and, most surprisingly, fallen in love with creative writing. Ironically, no formal writing class ever showed me that. It only took three weeks at Makerspace to help me realize what I truly enjoy. The secret to thriving here? It’s not about having the perfect skill set. It’s about having ideas and the audacity to pursue them. Makerspace isn’t just a place to build things—it’s a place where creativity finds unexpected forms. And sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in you for you to start believing in yourself.

— Read: Divya’s blog posts

Alice Sore ‘27, Makerspace

The Makerspace is important to me because I love the opportunities it gives me to really explore the design process creatively and develop projects. Throughout my time in school, creative outlets for design like robotics and engineering have really engaged me because I enjoy the problem-solving nature of these fields, especially when it comes to iterating on physical prototypes and designing not just an object on a computer screen but something that can actually be held and used to solve a problem. The experience of working in the Makerspace is wholly unique on the Williams Campus, and I’m incredibly grateful to have a part in it.

— Read: Alice’s blog posts

Izzie Tarantino ‘28, Makerspace

Before I even applied to Williams, I knew I wanted to be a part of the makerspace. It was my dream to work with the people of the makerspace, surrounded by the whirring of 3D printers and vibrant LED lighting and the company of innovating people. I enjoy problem solving through physical designs, specifying each aspect to work with each other, accounting for moving parts, and making sure they work perfectly. Through the makerspace, I am able to learn new tactics and hone my skills while creating with intention. The makerspace is very community oriented, in which I have connected deeply with other makerspace workers, learning about their projects, their classes, their reasons for joining the makerspace. I have reached out to people on campus that I would not have interacted with otherwise, hearing about their visions. I love working on projects with the goal of making learning enjoyable for kids through moving parts and personalizable designs. I love bringing peoples’ ideas to life, allowing them to achieve more when assisted by 3D models and arduino motors. Through the makerspace, I am able to help others through innovation, which is life changing.

— Read: Izzie’s blog posts

Annie Trucano ‘29, FabLab

At an academically rigorous school, it’s often difficult to make time for one’s hobbies and interests. The FabLab allows people to embrace their creativity in a low-stakes and accepting environment. The community inside the FabLab extends beyond it as well. Many of the people I’ve helped at the FabLab I now consider friends. The community and passion I’ve found at the FabLab makes it such a special place on campus for me.

— Read: Annie’s blog posts

Divine Uwimana ‘27, Makerspace

As a Makerspace student worker, I am learning a lot, not just hands on but also from the people with whom I work. I’m nourishing my creative and problem solving skills, my communicating, critical thinking skills and am getting well rounded skills in so many areas of my life that need to be developed. On top of that, it’s a space that gives you an opportunity to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. The Makerspace is a platform for me to have an impact, especially working with the TIDE grant or any other project I’ll work on, and to not just make something, but to make something useful to other people. The Makerspace offers opportunities to explore so many things at once (i.e. 3D printing and robotics).

— Read: Divine’s blog posts

Milton Vento ‘26, Makerspace

My favorite thing about working in the Makerspace is that it provides a platform for hands-on, project-based learning where I can use both my hands and my mind to create something that has a lasting impact not only on myself, but also on others. I also get to practice soft skills such as project management, long-term and short-term planning, communication (verbal and written) as well as collaboration. The Makerspace offers a different kind of learning environment from classroom learning in that I get to drive a project from its beginning to end, deciding which parts to execute when and how, until eventually getting a finished product on which I can see my fingerprints. It combines learning and doing in a way I haven’t seen in most of my classes, which are mostly intellectual. Working in the Makerspace is almost like having an internship and getting an opportunity to work in the real world, producing something that other people can use. Taking ownership of a project nurtures intrinsic motivation which offers a different kind of perseverance. Upon grasping a new software or concept, using it becomes such an enjoyable experience that translates into mental wellness, thus allowing the space to boost your intellectual ability while supporting your mental wellbeing.

— Read: Milton’s blog posts

Julia Zhou ‘29, FabLab

The FabLab is a hub of creativity. With its ample art resources, passionate student workers, and unique workshops, it brings creative ideas to life. It is a space for people to engage in fiber arts and challenge themselves to create in a new media. I have helped students make buttons, costumes, posters, and many more. The support FabLab has for the passion of art and creativity in the Williams community is what makes it important to me.

— Read: Julia’s blog posts

Looking for Former Makerspace Student Workers?