What began as a bear-themed website at age 10 has grown into a much bigger vision for Tejas Agrawal. With a dream of making a difference in today's rapidly changing AI landscape, Tejas credits the Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship for supporting his journey.
In fall 2025, Tejas became one of 30 students selected for the inaugural class of the Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship, named for MSU’s first president and first lady.
One year after receiving the scholarship, Tejas reflects on how its support opens doors for him to explore his potential and contribute to the MSU community.
Not many people follow the same dreams and interests they discovered as children, but for him, computer science was a passion he couldn't escape. His early curiosity in coding grew into a passion that continues to shape his college experience.
Now a double major in computer science and computational and applied mathematics, Tejas has spent his first year at MSU applying classroom learning to research, hackathons, and independent projects—an experience that challenged him academically and helped him grow personally and professionally.
One of Teja’s favorite projects came from a hackathon. In this fast-paced event, individuals or teams work together to create software, prototypes, or solutions to real-world problems within a short period of time. Tejas and his team created an application that used AI agents to contact suppliers on behalf of contractors and check whether parts were available. The goal was to reduce wait times, compare prices and help contractors avoid delays.
For Tejas, the project was an opportunity to take his interest in artificial intelligence beyond the classroom and use technology to solve a practical problem.
Projects like these are just one example of how he has explored his interests at MSU. The scholarship's financial support gives him the freedom to invest in projects and student organizations that expand his skills.
“Not having to worry as much about how I’m going to pay for university lets me get involved in time-intensive student organizations,” he said. “Knowing I don’t have to take on a second job gives me the ability to pursue the fields I want to explore.”
One of these organizations is DRIFT (Drone Research and Innovative Flight Technology), a student-run drone lab that participates in NASA competitions. He is also involved in SCNO (Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations), a consulting club where he works with a team to help nonprofits solve problems and run more effectively.
As Tejas looks toward the future, he hopes to research AI small language models, which can run on personal devices and offer benefits for privacy and environmental sustainability. The Williams Scholarship has allowed him to put his talent to work, pursue these interests and make the most of his time at MSU.
He even set forth on a on a passion project in the world of health care wearables. "I’m working with a friend on a fitness tracker that looks like a traditional analog watch but tracks fitness data and connects to a phone," he said. "This scholarship gives me the ability to pursue my passions and build things I’m truly proud of."
The project developed from his love for watches. And it's clear that Tejas is always aware of the clock. “I think about how to use my time here well, knowing that someone has placed trust in me and has faith in my success,” he said. “I’m always looking for ways to prove myself and use my abilities to give back to a community that has given me so much.”
With the Williams Scholarship, Tejas can pursue opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. For him, it is more than financial support; it’s a sign that others believe in his potential. As he continues to push boundaries in AI and give back to the MSU community, Tejas is determined to turn this opportunity into a positive impact — both on campus and beyond.