Roland Yang, 22
The Community Catalyst, Scaling Access from High School Hackathons to LA Hacks
Growing up with engineer parents, Roland Yang was surrounded by technology from an early age, treating digital spaces as an open canvas for creative play. Throughout his school years, exploring code gave him a structured outlet for his curiosity, but it was not until he attended his first hackathon during high school that his passion for computing truly solidified.
What began as an impulsive decision to sign up for a weekend competition alongside a classmate quickly turned into a transformative movement. Reflecting on that pivotal shift, Roland shared, "Working late into the night with friends, learning new technologies as we built, and turning an idea into something meaningful over a single weekend changed how I viewed technology. Hackathons showed me that technology could be more than an analytical discipline- it could also be a creative medium for bringing ideas to life and creating fulfilling experiences. Surrounded by people who shared that drive, I found a community where both sides of me belonged and a direction I wanted to keep pursuing."
That drive to persevere was put to the test at RevolutionUC, where Roland and his high school teammates competed against college and graduate-level developers. After spending the entire weekend building SecureTheTag - an automated hashtag optimization tool designed to boost social media traction for small businesses struggling during the pandemic - they stumbled through their Q&A presentation, leaving the team feeling defeated. Yet, when the closing ceremony announced they had received 1st Place Overall alongside awards for Best Design and Best Use of Google Cloud, the moment proved that perseverance and purpose could overcome inexperience, cementing Roland's belief that hackathons were spaces where anyone could belong and succeed.
Driven to lower barriers for other newcomers, Roland sought to establish an official hackathon at his high school. When administrative obstacles halted those plans, he pivoted with characteristic resourcefulness, partnering with School Simplified to found Simplihacks. Designed specifically to help inexperienced students learn modern development frameworks, the initiative grew into a massive success, giving hundreds of high schoolers their very first entry point into computer science and the hackathon ecosystem.
As a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Roland’s dedication to multiplying opportunity within the tech ecosystem reached new heights. Serving as the Executive Director of LA Hacks, he led Southern California’s largest collegiate hackathon, managing a team of 50 organizers to support over 1,200 participants. During his previous role as Sponsorship Director, Roland successfully revitalized the team's finances, securing crucial partner support to ensure the event remained sustainable and free for all attendees. Looking back on his journey from participant to community architect, Roland shares, “What started as one curious weekend grew into something bigger - a commitment to building spaces and communities that help others grow and that are worth showing up to.”
Roland carried that community mindset and drive to give back across campus - whether serving as Captain of the UCLA drumline or as a leader in the Association of Chinese Americans. Reflecting on his evolution as a leader, Roland shares, “From participant to founder to organizer, I have been fortunate to see hackathons from many perspectives. Each experience and every stage has shaped how I approach leadership today, emphasizing accessibility, welcomeness, mentorship, and community over unhealthy competition.”
From starting a local movement in high school to leading Southern California’s largest hackathon, Roland’s impact continues to ripple outward. He leaves behind a lasting legacy and carries with him a powerful leadership blueprint - one grounded in empathy, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to building inclusive communities wherever his journey leads next.
Quick Facts
Roland Yang, 22
The Community Catalyst, Scaling Access from High School Hackathons to LA Hacks
Growing up with engineer parents, Roland Yang was surrounded by technology from an early age, treating digital spaces as an open canvas for creative play. Throughout his school years, exploring code gave him a structured outlet for his curiosity, but it was not until he attended his first hackathon during high school that his passion for computing truly solidified.
What began as an impulsive decision to sign up for a weekend competition alongside a classmate quickly turned into a transformative movement. Reflecting on that pivotal shift, Roland shared, "Working late into the night with friends, learning new technologies as we built, and turning an idea into something meaningful over a single weekend changed how I viewed technology. Hackathons showed me that technology could be more than an analytical discipline- it could also be a creative medium for bringing ideas to life and creating fulfilling experiences. Surrounded by people who shared that drive, I found a community where both sides of me belonged and a direction I wanted to keep pursuing."
That drive to persevere was put to the test at RevolutionUC, where Roland and his high school teammates competed against college and graduate-level developers. After spending the entire weekend building SecureTheTag - an automated hashtag optimization tool designed to boost social media traction for small businesses struggling during the pandemic - they stumbled through their Q&A presentation, leaving the team feeling defeated. Yet, when the closing ceremony announced they had received 1st Place Overall alongside awards for Best Design and Best Use of Google Cloud, the moment proved that perseverance and purpose could overcome inexperience, cementing Roland's belief that hackathons were spaces where anyone could belong and succeed.
Driven to lower barriers for other newcomers, Roland sought to establish an official hackathon at his high school. When administrative obstacles halted those plans, he pivoted with characteristic resourcefulness, partnering with School Simplified to found Simplihacks. Designed specifically to help inexperienced students learn modern development frameworks, the initiative grew into a massive success, giving hundreds of high schoolers their very first entry point into computer science and the hackathon ecosystem.
As a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Roland’s dedication to multiplying opportunity within the tech ecosystem reached new heights. Serving as the Executive Director of LA Hacks, he led Southern California’s largest collegiate hackathon, managing a team of 50 organizers to support over 1,200 participants. During his previous role as Sponsorship Director, Roland successfully revitalized the team's finances, securing crucial partner support to ensure the event remained sustainable and free for all attendees. Looking back on his journey from participant to community architect, Roland shares, “What started as one curious weekend grew into something bigger - a commitment to building spaces and communities that help others grow and that are worth showing up to.”
Roland carried that community mindset and drive to give back across campus - whether serving as Captain of the UCLA drumline or as a leader in the Association of Chinese Americans. Reflecting on his evolution as a leader, Roland shares, “From participant to founder to organizer, I have been fortunate to see hackathons from many perspectives. Each experience and every stage has shaped how I approach leadership today, emphasizing accessibility, welcomeness, mentorship, and community over unhealthy competition.”
From starting a local movement in high school to leading Southern California’s largest hackathon, Roland’s impact continues to ripple outward. He leaves behind a lasting legacy and carries with him a powerful leadership blueprint - one grounded in empathy, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to building inclusive communities wherever his journey leads next.
