Homecoming Court Spotlight: Sam Fider

Sam Fider, an electrical and computer engineering major from Minneapolis, is one of the eight students chosen to be part of the UMN Homecoming Court this year. Homecoming Royalty Court members serve as student ambassadors throughout Homecoming Week, where the two students who best embody Gopher pride will be crowned the 2025 Homecoming Royals and each awarded a $1,000 scholarship. 

When asked about the highlight of her CSE experience, Fider speaks to the unique camaraderie within the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, sharing, “There have been many classes that everyone in electrical and computer engineering is required to take as a group. My graduating class has had ample opportunity to bond…we've organized extracurricular activities including class picnics, a run club, joint birthday parties and many other fun events.” Fider's investment in these extracurricular activities are evident through her involvement in greek life (Alpha Sigma Kappa), Campus Orchestra, dorm-resident-created groups, and her roles as a volunteer for the ECE department, an ambassador for CSE Recruitment, and a past board member for IEEE - Women in Engineering.

In addition, Fider considers ECE “the perfect balance between software and electrical engineering”, and plans to spend an additional year completing a Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering after graduating in Spring 2026. She eventually hopes to work in the robotics field, particularly focusing on machine learning, med tech, and automotive robotics. 

Read more on the Homecoming Court Q&A with Sam Fider and another CSE student, Brenen Olsen.