When Willem “Sebastian” Touw ITI’26 first set foot in the United States in 2018, having spent years living in a small town called Dordrecht in the Netherlands and dreaming of a life here, his arrival in New Jersey marked more than a personal milestone. The opportunities he found in the U.S. ultimately led Touw to discover the focus of his academic and professional journey: A relentless passion to understand how technology can shape the world for the better.

Today, as a Rutgers School of Communication and Information (SC&I) student majoring in Information Technology and Informatics (ITI) with minors in Computer Science, Critical Intelligence Studies, and Political Science, Touw's mission is to create, question, and innovate in the fast-moving landscape of artificial intelligence and cloud technology.

“I chose Rutgers once I realized, as a senior in high school, that it felt like home,” he says. “I developed a deep love for New Jersey. Rutgers became the place where I could continue to grow, contribute, and give back to the community that warmly welcomed me.”

Through his sense of purpose—rooted in both gratitude and ambition—he quickly discovered the benefits of SC&I’s flexible, interdisciplinary programs. “The ITI program, alongside my minors, provides both experience in class and flexibility to explore independent projects and research,” Touw explains. “It’s what led to my work as a research assistant with Professor Gina Marcello, studying artificial intelligence in depth, and later to my current role at SHI International Corp.”

At SHI, Touw now works as an IT Engineer in a Co-Op spanning from this summer until this winter, gradually transitioning toward software engineering. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work over the past five months,” he says. “My aim is to continue working in software engineering, creating solutions for modern problems—especially those involving AI and Cloud. I also hope to spend time researching Quantum Computing, since I believe AI and Quantum together hold enormous potential to support humanity. Ultimately, I want to pursue graduate study in a domain connected to these interests.”

That balance of curiosity and optimism defines Touw’s academic life at Rutgers. He said SC&I classes he's taken, including Disinformation Detox with Associate Teaching Professor of Journalism and Media Studies Gina Marcello, Human-Computer Interaction with Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science Alex Jiahong Lu, plus Defense Policy in his Critical Intelligence Studies minor, have given him the technical tools and the ethical perspective needed to approach technology responsibly.

“Disinformation Detox was thought-provoking,” he recalls. “It gave me deeper insight into media and AI, and showed how the two interlink. Professor Marcello is incredibly knowledgeable.”

He also credits other faculty members who have made a lasting impact on his education—including Director of Undergraduate Studies in Information Technology and Informatics and Associate Teaching Professor of Information Technology and Informatics Warren Allen, whose guidance first sparked his interest in the ITI program. He also mentions SC&I Lecturer Kristen Luciani, who, he says, “supported me in gaining the confidence to create a resume and seek an internship,” he says. “Each professor I’ve had has left an impact. Open communication and genuine interest go a long way.”

For Touw, education has never been a passive process. “These classes exposed me to topics I never would have otherwise explored, broadening my perspective on technology and society while helping me build skills for my career.” Whether it’s diving into the mechanics of misinformation campaigns fueled by AI agents or exploring the national security implications of emerging tech, he’s driven by a desire to understand the systems shaping our digital age—and how to make them better.

That inquisitiveness extends beyond the classroom. Rutgers’ resources, from research databases to career services, have provided the backbone for his growth. “There are so many opportunities at Rutgers that truly help students,” he says. “Access to research papers, advising, and even free headshots for résumés—it all makes a difference. When I felt overwhelmed, support was always available.”

But for all his technical insight, Touw said the most valuable lesson he's learned at Rutgers has been about something simpler: showing up. “Attend class, and ask questions,” he advises current and future students. “Like many students, I’ve woken up for a 7 a.m. lecture, thought ‘no way I’m commuting,’ and gone back to sleep—and that’s okay. But college is different from high school. Our education depends entirely on the effort we put in and what we choose to take away.”

He emphasizes that the best parts of his Rutgers experience came not from tests or grades, but from thought-provoking conversations with professors, discussions with peers, and even casual interactions with strangers. “I used to hesitate to ask questions or attend optional events, but showing up and being present made all the difference in my learning and understanding,” he says. “Those connections and impressions last far beyond the classroom.”

Looking ahead, Touw plans to graduate in 2026 and continue his work in AI and Cloud Infrastructure as an engineer, while also pursuing independent ventures and future graduate studies.

Yet, the horizon he envisions isn’t just technical—it’s deeply human. “Despite what some call a ‘tech bubble,’ I believe we’re at the beginning of an intelligence explosion,” he says. “There are unique challenges and opportunities ahead. No matter how much the world changes, the lessons I’ve learned at Rutgers will stay with me for life.”

From an immigrant finding his footing in a new country to an engineer exploring the frontiers of artificial intelligence, Sebastian Touw’s story reflects what Rutgers does best: transforming curiosity into capability and potential into purpose.

And if you ask him about SC&I, Touw has this to say: “The well-rounded education at SC&I has taught me to ask the right questions. My current pursuit is finding the answers to some of the most challenging ones.”

Learn more about the Information Technology and Informatics major at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.