Hi, I’m Valen Cole.
Right now I’m:
- SchoolFinishing my senior year studying international studies at the University of Utah, with minors in French and Business AI (22 credits this semester!).
- WritingWriting about international problems through an economic and policy lens. Latest: Compliance Without Preservation, on Ghana’s road maintenance funding.
- CampusKeeping an eye on the new freshmen as a Community Advisor in the campus dorms.
- WeekendsWorking weekends as a barback at a craft cocktail bar, hoping to get crafty with the cocktails myself soon!
- GymTrying to hit the gym Monday to Friday
- GainsTrying to gain 25 pounds by May
- Next stopLooking to bring my talents to the Big Apple after graduation in May.
Previously:
- IdeathonEthan Skinner and I took 2nd place (and $150 each!) at the U’s Salesforce Ideathon, with an AI support agent that hears from the restaurant before the customer complains.
- BuildAviva Manual, a searchable, mobile-first employee manual for a medical spa, in daily use by their staff.
- PosterWhy Are People Miscalibrated on AI? Teddy Wright and I were the only undergrad presenters at the U’s AI + Ethics Workshop, spring ’26.
- TalkEducation Models of the Future, my talk at the U’s Student-Led AI Symposium, fall ’25. All projects
This is my website. Welcome!