Mark Griffey
Penn Engineering alumna Chloe Snyder (ENG’17, GEN’18) is currently a Senior Software Engineer at Google. While at Penn, she earned a BSE in Digital Media Design in 2017, followed by an MSE in Computer Graphics and Game Technology in 2018.
In the Q&A below, Snyder explains how Pixar inspired her to pursue design, the important lessons she learned from Adam Mally, Senior Lecturer in Computer and Information Science (CIS), and how a “janky cow” helped her get through a tough time in her junior year.
Tell us about what brought you to Penn Engineering.
My Penn Engineering story began the summer after my sophomore year of high school, when I attended the Computer Graphics program in SAAS (now ESAP). There, I learned how to use Autodesk Maya to create 3D art. Growing up, I had been inspired by Pixar, so after experiencing the SAAS program, I applied to Penn to continue pursuing a graphics education through the Digital Media Design program, and was later able to submatriculate into the Computer Graphics and Game Technology program for my master’s.
What was your most impactful moment at Penn?
One of the most impactful moments was in February of my junior year. Besides facing the typical adversities that come with that season of life, I lost my beloved grandmother, Martha Yanishevsky Snyder (Ed’44). At the time, I was a TA for Intro to Computer Graphics. In the course, we had a favorite 3D model of a cow we used for many of the assignments, including one about skeletons and skinning, which lent itself to creating some pretty distorted transformations. I dubbed it the “janky cow.” To cheer me up, the lecturers and co-TAs emailed me a video they created of themselves performing the “Janky Cow, Moo” song. It was so silly and touching, and gave me a very-much-needed laugh during a difficult time. To this day, I treasure the camaraderie we had in the SIG Lab and don’t take a moment of it for granted.
What is a fun fact about you?
Throughout college, I loved going for long runs along the Schuylkill River. It was a great way to clear my head, and I always hoped to one day compete in and finish a marathon. I met my goal by completing the 2023 and 2024 NYC Marathons, and am beginning to train for my third in Boston 2025.
Which professor had the greatest impact on you and why?
Adam Mally had the greatest impact on me. I actually first met him in the SAAS high school program, where he was both my resident and teaching advisor, so when I came to Penn as an unsure student with no coding background, I already knew what a fantastic teacher he was, and felt safe coming to him with my questions.
Adam has a talent for inspiring, creative, and challenging assignments, especially in Intro to Computer Graphics (CIS4600) and later Procedural Animation (CIS700). While he always had high expectations from his students, he never hesitated to give back as a teacher. I basically lived in his office hours as his student, where I learned C++, how to write well organized, well-named code and how to debug methodically. These are all skills I later honed as his TA and now use daily at Google as a Senior Software Engineer.
What inspires you to give to Penn?
When I give, I always ask for the funds to be directed towards Penn Engineering, specifically towards DMD/CGGT programs in the CIS department. The resources at Penn supported my exploration of virtual and augmented reality, and this inspires me to give back.