Shattering Ceilings
By Lauryn Starke
Kaylin Moss is shattering limitations for women of color in more industry than one. As a Black woman in STEM and a petite, curly-haired model, Kaylin refuses to be held back by the standards and inequalities in either field.
“I am not afraid to break barriers,” Kaylin says with confidence.
Kaylin, a junior Computer Science student at Marist, saw the lack of representation for both women and people of color in STEM fields, and took it as a challenge to change the industry. “I’m so used to being the only one in the room,” she says.
This lack of representation inspired Kaylin to help charter Marist’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). In 2020, Kaylin began working alongside now Marist alumni Edwin Forson ‘20 and Gary Coltrane ‘19 to establish the NSBE on the Marist campus. However the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic caused several delays in the clubs’ establishment. Despite the struggles brought on by the virus, Kaylin continued Forson and Coltrane’s work until the club was officially chartered in the Fall of 2020.
As the current president of NSBE, Kaylin says, “We wanted to create a family. There wasn’t a place for people of color in STEM at Marist before NSBE.”
NSBE aims to provide a community for underrepresented people in STEM, and meets regularly to discuss issues in the industry and create a support system for the club members. Their mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” The club frequently holds events including resume workshops and cultural experiences to help people of color build a foundation in the industry and excel in their field.
Illustration by Jack Rader
Outside of NSBE, Kaylin is an active member of Marist Women in Technology and works closely with the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics to create a more inclusive culture for women and students of color in the computer science community on campus.
At her first internship with the Marist College IBM Joint Study program in 2019, Kaylin saw the rich potential of a diverse workforce in STEM firsthand. “Seeing the diversity was refreshing,” she recalls. After such a great experience during her year at this program, Kaylin was determined to bring that same energy and inclusivity back to Marist.
In Kaylin’s personal studies, she primarily focuses on software design and development. She prefers the design aspect of computer science because it satisfies her passion for creativity and innovation.
“I want to change people’s perceptions about what computer science careers really are,” she says. “I want to show people that computer science can be creative.”
Kaylin’s creative expression doesn’t stop at her affinity for software design — she’s in the midst of breaking into the modeling industry with a promising start. Though she’s been modeling since high school, her time in quarantine motivated her to pursue it more seriously. Her current focus is breaking into commercial, print, and hair modeling.
At Marist, Kaylin has modeled in the Black Student Union Night at the Apollo Fashion Show in February 2020 and the Center for Multicultural Affairs Cultural Fashion Show in December 2019.
It’s no secret that the modeling industry can be cutthroat — especially for a 5’2” petite model and a curly-haired woman of color. Kaylin has experienced countless rejections at auditions because of her height, but it doesn’t seem to phase her at all.
“Rejection is a part of it… I just don’t let it get to me,” she says.
Her efforts have clearly paid off, as Kaylin recently signed with two different modeling agencies, based in Toronto and Florida. When asked about her secret to success, Kaylin’s answer is simple. “To put it shortly, confidence. You’re never going to know everything, but you need the confidence and humility to learn.”
Much of Kaylin’s unwavering confidence stems from her relationships with her large, supportive family. She shares a deep bond with her twin sister, as well as with three of her grandmothers. Though she described her family as sometimes being chaotic, the adoration she has for them is clear.
She credits her parents for encouraging her to reach for high standards and excellence in her education and accompanying careers. “My parents instilled the value of education in me,” Kaylin shares. When she worked tirelessly to establish NSBE at Marist, Kaylin drew some extra inspiration from her father, who also used to be a member of NSBE.
True to her family’s teachings Kaylin holds her education in high regard as she blazes the trail for women of color in STEM and modeling. But the source of her drive comes from an even deeper place — she does it all for those who came before her that never had the chance to pursue their dreams.
“Being African American and knowing that so many of my ancestors didn’t get that opportunity inspires me.”
FOR THE RECORD UNCUT
OBJECT PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography by Bobby Oliver
For this year’s project, we asked our Changemakers to bring items that had meaning to them to the shoot.
“My MacBook Pro is my personal laptop. It's perfect for coding or hosting a virtual NSBE meeting. I'm studying computer science, and my computer is integral to my success in the technology field.
Landscape photography has been a hobby of mine since 2015. My digital camera brings my artistic visions to life and strengthens my connection with nature.
My hair pick is more than a styling tool, it's a political statement. I push back against mainstream beauty standards each time I adorn my afro.”