Tech Titan Susie Armstrong Launches Applied Computing Scholarship for Transfer Students

Susie Armstrong discovered her passion for computer programming during a course at her local community college, unaware that this interest would catapult her to the forefront of innovation in computer science.

“It felt like putting a puzzle together and I loved it,” said Armstrong, now senior vice president at Qualcomm. “I also realized I could make a good living with a degree in the field.”

Armstrong transferred to Cal Poly in 1979 to study computer science and graduated in 1982 with eight job offers and knew she’d made the right choice.

“I knew that this was a fascinating and growing field to be in,” she said.

Beginning her career at Xerox, hailed as the birthplace of the personal computer, Armstrong later made groundbreaking contributions at Qualcomm. There, she developed a simple yet efficient technique that facilitated the first instance of web surfing on a cellphone – a pioneering feat that bridged the gap between mobile communications and the internet.

Driven by her achievements and the impactful role of community colleges and Cal Poly in her journey, she and her husband launched a $250,000 scholarship at The Noyce School of Applied Computing. Through the Susie M. Armstrong & Keith A. Marzullo Scholarship Endowment, the trailblazers in computer science look to empower transfer students, offering them the chance to thrive in their field.

“I’m committed to ensuring students who dedicate time and effort to complete junior college and then gain admission to Cal Poly get the support they need,” Armstrong said.

From Xerox to Qualcomm

Originally from Truckee, Armstrong started her education at two-year Sierra College with the goal of becoming a veterinarian before realizing the emotional toll of dealing with pain and suffering would prove too challenging.

The pivotal computer programming course she took at the same time influenced her move to Cal Poly, eventually leading her to join the Xerox System Development Department in Palo Alto as a software/systems engineer.

“There were a lot of women at Xerox engaged in cutting-edge work, driven not by fame but by the desire for a good salary, engaging projects and a secure retirement,” she said.

Armstrong became part of a team dedicated to transforming innovations from the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) into market-ready technologies, marking the beginning of her influential career in the tech industry. The ethernet, bitmap displays and graphical user interfaces were among these Xerox PARC innovations – visionary creations that forged the foundation for the modern personal computer.

After a move to Southern California with her husband, Armstrong was recruited by Qualcomm – a company that would later become synonymous with cellular connectivity but was unknown to her in 1994.

“I didn’t know anything about the company, so I went to the library and looked up ‘Qualcomm,’” she said, laughing about the early days of web browsing. “I decided to take the interview and I got the job, working on satellite communications.”

Just three years after she was hired, she made history by pioneering software that enabled cellphones to access the internet, an innovation that built on digital voice technology and kick-started mobile internet technology.

The first commercial glimpse of cellular internet browsing was unveiled at the 1997 Cellular Telecommunications Industry show on a Qualcomm flip phone – a historic artifact Armstrong proudly preserves to this day.

“Between Xerox and Qualcomm, I’ve had the opportunity to work for two amazing companies doing wonderful, innovative work,” she said. “What I now tell students is that just because something may look a little unconventional, try it! At least take a hard look and think about it, because you never know where it could lead.”

From community college to Cal Poly

The Susie M. Armstrong & Keith A. Marzullo Scholarship Endowment will be available to incoming transfer students majoring in computer engineering, computer science and software engineering or electrical engineering starting this fall.

Marzullo, with graduate degrees in astrophysics and electrical engineering from Stanford University, is celebrated for his invention of an algorithm that guarantees precise timekeeping across computer networks. Alongside Armstrong, he is a strong supporter of students beginning their educational journeys at community colleges.

“High school students are under immense pressure to enroll in prestigious universities, yet community colleges offer significant growth, diverse experience and are financially accessible,” Armstrong said.

Chris Lupo, director of the Noyce School and a former transfer student, underscored the distinct challenges faced by transfer students, particularly those in applied computing fields, and stressed the need for improved support systems to aid their academic and professional achievements.

Allocated funding, he said, will target initiatives designed to smooth these transitions, including providing peer mentoring to bridge educational gaps; advising on course selection that aligns with career goals; ensuring access to vital labs and software; and facilitating connections with faculty mentors for expert guidance and insights.

“The scholarships will allow transfer students in the Noyce School with financial need to focus on their academics and career goals with less financial strain,” he added.

Giving a financial boost to transfer students whose college funds are depleted is the driving force behind Armstrong and Marzullo’s desire to help. “Scholarship opportunities for transfer students are limited, and it breaks my heart to hear about students who get accepted into Cal Poly but can’t afford to attend,” Armstrong said. “We want to make sure those students have every chance to succeed.”