Rachel Fernandez is no ordinary Stanford student. As the youngest instructor at the university, she's breaking barriers both in the classroom and beyond. In a recent podcast conversation with Quincy Larson, Rachel shared her journey from a small California town to teaching C++ at one of the world's top institutions. She also discussed her role in organizing Stanford's massive TreeHacks hackathon, the evolving landscape of computer science education, and how developers can harness AI without losing their edge. Here are seven takeaways from her inspiring story and expert advice.
1. From Westminster to Stanford: A Trailblazing Journey
Rachel grew up in Westminster, a tight-knit community in California where the population is largely Mexican and Vietnamese. At her high school, 70% of students qualified for free lunches due to low family incomes. Despite these challenges, Rachel became the first student from her school to gain admission to Stanford in years. Her story highlights the power of perseverance and the importance of creating opportunities in underserved areas. Rachel's background gives her a unique perspective on education and access, which she brings into her teaching and mentorship roles.
2. Becoming Stanford's Youngest Instructor
While still an undergraduate computer science student, Rachel landed a role as the youngest instructor at Stanford. She teaches C++, a language known for its steep learning curve. Rachel believes that teaching at a young age allows her to connect more closely with students, bridging the gap between complex concepts and practical application. Her appointment is a testament to her deep understanding of the subject and her ability to inspire others. As she puts it, being young doesn't mean you can't lead—it just means you bring fresh energy to the table.
3. Organizing TreeHacks: Stanford's $1 Million Hackathon
Rachel recently helped organize TreeHacks, Stanford's annual hackathon that drew 15,000 applicants. Only 1,000 were selected to participate, building innovative projects over a single weekend and competing for $1 million in prizes. The event showcases the best of student creativity and technical skill. Rachel's involvement gave her a front-row seat to the latest trends in project development, from AI integrations to hardware hacks. She notes that hackathons are a powerful way to learn rapidly, collaborate, and turn ideas into reality under pressure.
4. The State of Computer Science Education in 2026
In 2026, Rachel sees CS education becoming more interdisciplinary and accessible. Traditional curricula are being supplemented with practical, project-based learning. She emphasizes that while foundational knowledge in algorithms and data structures remains critical, universities like Stanford are adapting to include emerging fields like AI ethics and systems security. Rachel advocates for a balanced approach: teach timeless principles while equipping students with the tools to navigate a fast-changing tech landscape. She warns against over-relying on AI without understanding underlying mechanics.
5. Why C++ Still Matters
As an instructor of C++, Rachel is a firm believer in the language's enduring relevance. Despite the rise of higher-level languages, C++ offers unmatched performance and control over system resources. It's essential for operating systems, game engines, and real-time applications. Rachel points out that learning C++ forces you to understand memory management and low-level operations, which makes you a better programmer overall. She encourages developers to at least get comfortable with the basics, even if they primarily use other languages. As discussed below, mastering fundamentals helps you use AI tools more effectively.
6. Using AI Without Deskilling
Rachel shares practical tips for developers who want to leverage AI assistants without losing their problem-solving abilities. She recommends treating AI as a co-pilot, not a crutch—always review and understand the code it generates. Set boundaries: use AI for boilerplate or repetitive tasks, but tackle core logic yourself. Rachel also suggests regularly practicing coding without AI to maintain your skills. FreeCodeCamp's handbook on AI-assisted coding offers a deep dive into these strategies. The goal is to stay sharp while benefiting from AI's speed.
7. Catching Cheaters and the Role of InfoSec
Rachel's interest in information security ties directly to catching cheaters—both in academic settings and broader contexts. She discusses how AI can be used to detect plagiarism and fraud, but also how it can be abused. Security professionals must stay one step ahead by understanding attack vectors. Rachel highlights freeCodeCamp's AI Governance Handbook, which includes hands-on Python projects like building a bias detection pipeline and a human-in-the-loop escalation system. For those interested in data quality, there's also a handbook on data errors and validation. These resources help developers build responsible, secure systems from the ground up.
Rachel's journey and insights offer a blueprint for aspiring developers: stay curious, master the fundamentals, and use AI as a tool—not a replacement. Whether you're teaching, hacking, or building, her story reminds us that the future of CS is in good hands.