STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Alex Opekun helps students find their way

EDITOR’S NOTE: A source’s last name was updated to their preferred name.

UHCL has worked on its wayfinding initiative since December 2021. For some, students more can always be done.

Alexander Opekun, computer engineering major, saw many students struggle to find their way around campus and the Delta building since his return to campus in 2021. Opekun decided to take matters into his own hands. The computer engineering major built a map of the Delta building that allows students to input the room number they are looking for and have it light up on the map.

“I wanted to help other students,” Alex said. “I saw them struggling and hunting for rooms, they would look at the map, think they had it figured out walk to the right location. Not find it and come back and just cycle. I was looking at it and thinking they’re wasting time, they’re hunting for something that they know is there, but they just can’t find it.” 

Alex estimated the cost of the map to be around $1,000, which he spent out of his own pocket to build this map. He first publicly revealed his project at the Student Involvement Expo Sept. 1 while tabling with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

“There are two other members that stayed with the project, Blair [Reasoner] and David Hernandez,” Alex said.  

Reasoner and Hernandez played important parts in the construction of this map. Taylor and Hernandez are both with IEEE and decided to help Alex in his efforts. 

Alex first joined IEEE when returning to campus after spending a year at home due to Covid-19.

“It was a very rocky start,” Opekun said. “We tried to contact the previous chair advice chair and got radio silence. We tried to contact anyone. Their UHCL emails were still on the system, but I guess they are long gone,” said Alex

The construction process had various difficulties that Alex and his group members had to solve while also balancing all their other responsibilities. While the map is close to completion, Alex said it could be ready any day now.

“We are still debugging the code,” Alex said.“That’s what David has been working on, he’s been busy. The code is a big feat. I am not too worried about the level converter. That’s twelve pins. Blair get your iron five minutes later It’s up.”   

Both of Alex’s parents have a background in medicine but Alex was inspired by his grandfather who was also an electrical engineer. Nevertheless, he has always had a strong desire to help people.

The map is also wheelchair accessible. Alex cited a student he knows as part of why he made the map fit Americans with Disability Act regulations.

“He’s in a wheelchair, he can’t use a map,” Opekun said. “So for people like him, that’s why I made this at that height. I checked ADA regulations and they said do it at this height. So I did.” 

Accessibility has always been a concern for Alex from the beginning, as he struggles with ADHD.

“I’m not exactly neurotypical,” Alex said. “I have ADHD. So my dad got me started on piano. Those first years I did not want to do it. I did it because I had to, but at this point, I’m drawn back to the piano. I don’t know if it’s nostalgic, or if it’s like a craving. I just need it. I’ve been away from it for too long, and I got to get it. It’s a passion and  it’s a  joy at this point.” 

Alex has always been a leader, citing his experience as an Eagle Scout while attending high school.

“I volunteered after COVID,” Alex said. “Why did I volunteer? I am an Eagle Scout. I have the leadership experience. After this much time, it was a little rusty, but I still have it and I was confident that I could help get the organization going. It turned out to be a lot more than I expected, but I stepped up to the challenge. I could tell how much Blair wanted to get it done and started up, and when a big question like that comes to the classroom. Sometimes I’m the first one to respond, but I just hang back, for a few seconds. Look at the rest of the classroom and, say, ‘Are there any other takers before I jump in and take over? No one? Okay.’”

With the construction of the map almost complete Alex hopes to move to further expand his map to different buildings and different ways. 

“Not only am I here to be a student, I try to serve,” Alex said. “I set up a study group on discord to help others learn and form study groups to help them more, often times they’re asking me, ‘Alex, help me learn this,’ ‘Help me learn that.’ Helping, helping, helping, helping, that’s basically my life. Helping others and serving others.”

CORRECTION 10/17/22:

In one paragraph, Opeku’s name was spelled “Open.” It was originally written that Opekun was an electrical engineering major. Opekun’s major is computer engineering.