“I actually discovered the School of Information when I was working at the School of Social Work’s Office of Global Activities,” she said. It just made sense that I specialize more on this human piece, this people perspective.”Īs a native Californian, Madel chose to brave Michigan’s colder climes and enroll in U-M’s renowned School of Social Work. I want to come from a social justice lens … I already loved sociology. “I thought it was fascinating, really cool.”Īfter a three-year stint working in LA’s nonprofit realm, Madel decided to go back to school for a master’s degree in social work. “That was my very premature exposure to tech,” she said. For a project called MOBILIZE, Madel programmed nearly 100 Android phones given to underserved students in LA learning about computer science. Her first exposure to tech, she said, came with her post-grad work with UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies (GSEIS). Madel grew her people-first approach getting her bachelor's degree in sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. I’m always drawn to organizations and work with people from older generations.” That’s really cool … but I feel like a lot of older generations still treasure conversation and hold onto that. I’m very drawn to connecting to folks … I don’t want to lose that physical social connection now that you can connect with people across the world online. “I think a lot of what drives my work, my passions, has to do with people ⁠- of all ages, but recently with older adults more than anything.” A child of the tech boom, Madel works to maintain traditions of social connection in physical spaces. “I come from a social work background,” said Madel. Madel Leal is a self-described social justice engineer working at home and abroad to support the human center of the information field.Īs a self-described social justice engineer, second-year MSI student Madel Leal’s work at home and abroad supports the human center of the information field.

Brooke leal what about you