Anderson Engineering Scholarship

When I walked into AP Physics 1 on the first day of junior year, the familiar feeling of being “the only one” settled in. Once again, I was one of just two Black students, and the only Black male, in the room. That moment crystallized why engineering isn’t just a career choice for me, it’s a mission. I want to build bridges, literal and figurative, so that the next generation of students who look like me sees possibility, not isolation, in advanced STEM spaces. I’ve always gravitated toward problems that demand both creativity and rigor. Whether it’s solving for a difficult integral in Calculus BC or toying with a circuit in AP Physics C, I relish the rhythm of engineering: imagine, test, refine, repeat. At Walnut Hills High School, ranked in Ohio’s top five percent, I sought out every challenging STEM course available, earning college credit in Foundations of Engineering Design Thinking I & II. Those classes gave me my first taste of university-level teamwork. Working with my team through challenging projects showed me that the best solutions emerge when diverse perspectives collide and collaborate. Being underrepresented has sharpened my ability to thrive in diverse teams and deepened my commitment to representation. Many of my peers growing up were steered toward sports or music, rarely encouraged to explore aerospace dynamics or structural analysis. My parents insisted that education is “the passport to the future,” a sentiment Malcolm X captures perfectly. Their conviction propelled me toward opportunities that would expand my horizons and, in turn, those of others coming after me. One such opportunity was the University of Dayton’s 2024 Summer Engineering Program. Over three days, I rotated through hands-on labs in civil, chemical, and technical engineering. In each session, I connected theory to results: optimizing truss designs, analyzing reaction yields, coding microcontroller inputs. I left without a favorite discipline but with absolute clarity that engineering’s breadth is what excites me. Aerospace engineering, where math, physics, and innovation intersect at 30,000 feet, is where I belong. Mentorship has been a compass on this journey. At scholarship events, I heard GE executive Tony Mathis describe “failing forward” and engineer Johannes Ebba explain how to navigate both vertically and laterally inside a company. Construction leaders Anthony Chambliss and Stan Williams modeled servant-leadership on job sites, while church mentors reminded me to keep purpose at the center of every pursuit. Their guidance fuels my determination to give back. During senior year, I visited five local elementary schools to share my story so, younger students, especially underrepresented ones, could picture themselves in a lab coat as easily as in a jersey. Next fall I will enter the University of Cincinnati’s acclaimed co-op program, alternating aerospace coursework with full-time industry rotations. The model fits my learning philosophy: theory refined by practice, classroom concepts grounded in real-world relevance. My experience in Design Thinking I & II felt like a miniature co-op, where I dealt with tight deadlines, unfamiliar problems, and a team depending on me to deliver. I’m eager to scale that experience with projects that push me to code more efficiently, model airflow more precisely, and design safer, more sustainable aircraft. Engineering is more than my passion, it’s my platform. Through it, I will innovate for the communities I love, mentor those who follow, and embody the representation that once felt so scarce. I’m preparing today, passport in hand, to help shape a tomorrow where every student, regardless of race, can walk into a calculus classroom or wind-tunnel lab and know they belong.

The smell of gasoline has been a permanent scent surrounding my childhood. It was the smell I associated with my dad, who was a truck driver. He would often be gone for days leaving my mom, my siblings, and I alone. Whenever I would miss him, I would often go poking around at his work table, playing with tools that were too big. As I grew older, my dad would frequently take me with him to help with repairs of whatever needed fixing at the time, either the lawn mower, the car, or even his 18-wheeler. My passion for engineering was not something I knew I wanted from an early age, it was a gradual development, a slow-burn if you will. My small school shaped the way I viewed my peers and my plans. The majority of my peers all wanted to pursue agriculture and go to the same school, Texas A&M. So much so that the school cut the engineering program due to the lack of enrollment, leaving me to follow the next best pathway that my school offered, health science. While still in the STEM area, it changed the way I viewed engineering as a whole. Before I viewed engineering as a field that primarily dealt with buildings and bridges when it's really so much more. Engineers and the health field go hand in hand. Especially civil engineers, limiting pollution in cities, minimizing destruction from natural disasters, and promoting exercise through sidewalks and bike lanes. Even though pursuing the health science path was an unexpected detour, it helped me truly appreciate the path I chose and to reassure me that I did not waste years of schooling on health science rather than engineering. However trying to choose which type of engineering to major in was one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make. To my family, it seemed to them that I changed my mind every week. From chemical to environmental, I would always second guess myself, always thinking of What If? What if this isn't the field for me? What if there is something better out there? What if I fail? That last one always seemed to make a reappearance at the least desirable moment. We have all heard the phrase, Inspiration comes in the unlikely moments, well mine came in the middle of a cross country meet. I was almost done with my race and usually I think of how much I’m dying and how I’m almost done with the race. For this particular race, I had an epiphany about how my town has no sidewalks. You might ask why this thought interrupted my mindset, well let me tell you. For cross country practice, we run all over town in order to get mileage. All of our runs include running on the shoulder of roads, but they aren’t very wide. Often, we would have to run in a single file. Having this epiphany in the middle of a race was not ideal that it cost me a medal, but that didn’t matter because I finally knew what type of engineering I wanted to do, civil, and as soon as I got home, I changed my major from chemical engineering, the mindset from the week before, to civil engineering. My parents were so excited that I finally made my choice. I know that this field is for me, no second guessing. While the What ifs still continue, it's up to me to push those boundaries that have held me back both self-imposed and societal. I can only hope that I can leave my mark.

Hello, my name is Brandon Foster, and I am a freshman mechanical engineering major at Georgia Southern University. Going to college and getting an adequate education that would allow me to pursue a career in the things I enjoy has been a goal of mine for many years now. Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by how things work—how machines move, how structures are built, and how ideas can be brought to life through engineering. This fascination developed into a passion, and over time, it became clear to me that I wanted to pursue mechanical engineering as a career. After graduating from high school, I took my next big step by enrolling here at Georgia Southern. This was not just a decision I made for myself but also for my family, who has always stood by me and believed in my potential. By no means was I able to accomplish such a feat on my own. It was in part due to the assistance I was given through aid that allowed me to fund my education and give me an opportunity to make my dreams come true and to make my family proud. Coming from a low-income background, the financial barriers to higher education have always loomed large. However, with determination and a little bit of faith, I knew that somehow, things would work out. Thankfully, through the graciousness of Mr. Charles Anderson and the contributors of the Anderson Engineering Scholarship, they did. I was blessed with the honor to call myself a recipient of said scholarship in September of 2024. I can recall receiving the email of confirmation from Bold.org like it was just yesterday due to it being such an impactful moment in my life. I was in a rush to my calculus class and got the email while I was printing out notes for that day’s lecture. The words in that message brought an overwhelming sense of relief and joy that I can still feel to this day. It was a moment of validation—proof that my hard work, perseverance, and dreams were not going unnoticed. I will forever be grateful for such a gesture, as I used said money to pay for textbooks and my tuition. Being awarded this scholarship was like having a prayer answered from above. It truly helped a low-income student such as myself not have to worry about or stress over dealing with ways to afford my college expenses. Being stress-free on the financial side of affairs allowed me to focus more time and energy on my schoolwork and studies. Not having to constantly worry about how I was going to afford the next textbook or whether I could pay for my classes helped me stay centered and motivated throughout my first semester. It was through a meticulous effort that I was able to maintain my 4.0 GPA through my first semester of college. This effort also earned me honors on a university level, as I was named to Georgia Southern’s President’s List and received recognition of academic excellence as well. Looking ahead, I remain dedicated to my studies and committed to growing both academically and professionally. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Anderson and everyone involved in making the Anderson Engineering Scholarship possible. Your support is not only helping students financially, but it’s also changing lives. Thank you for believing in students like me. I promise to make the most of this opportunity and to continue striving for excellence in all that I do.

I do not think of engineering as a career. For me, it is a passion, as well as a duty to improve lives and the future of the planet. As far as I can remember I have always had love for creation and design. Creating engulfed my imagination as a child. I made numerous attempts to build cannons from M&M candy tube packaging and rubber launchers from popsicle sticks. Then as a pre-teen, I would sketch designs and do technical drawings of my ideas to produce what I imagined. During my teenage years, I started noticing the real world. My desire for silly creations seemed so small next to the hardships and degradation of the planet. I slowly began to shift my ideas for building items that would solve problems, rather than create them. Thus far, Technical Drawing has certainly piqued my interest and held my attention. To pursue this subject for my Caribbean Secondary Education Exams (“CSEC”), in Trinidad, I had to seek classes outside of my school, as the subject was not offered. I enjoyed studying it so much, I even had the honor of placing 14th in Trinidad and Tobago for the 2023 Technical Drawing CSEC exam. This class allowed me to work with and gain experience in programs inculding, AutoCAD, Fusion360 and SolidWorks. I always enjoyed drafting machine Technical Drawings. Why? The concept of using ideas to consider what on the inside makes an a model function fascinates me. Being able to mentally assess whether a design will work based purely on conceptualization and critical thinking drives me. As such, I was able to re-design a Harmonic Balancer pulley, given less than ideal constraints. I hope to pursue Technical Drawing further and to eventually gain my CAD license. As a university student, I continue to create. Some projects completed in my first semester, as a freshman, include designing a parametric heat sink and re-designing a collapsable dog bowl with locking lids that double as a stand, both designs part of my engineering program. However, the collapsable dog bowl was done with the intent to make a functional and 3D printable design. The idea came from what I would find beneficial, as a pet owner, myself. Other projects I am currently working on, as part of my engineering program, include coding a Truss design to take specific inputted constraints and simulate the bridge load multiplied by its design limit. I have been engrossed in these projects because I have made connections within every course I have taken thus far. Concepts and laws learnt in physics have been applied in engineering calculus problems and developed in CAD. Making these connections between what I am learning and how it appears and is implemented in real life is intriguing. I even recently attended a school workshop and learned how to solder. Making mistakes and adding too much solder was part of the process of learning to fix errors using hot tools and copper fabric. Experiences like this helped me understand that I should not expect perfection. My intent as an engineer major is to use the skills I am learning and learn to look for solutions. Some of which might be acquired from the analysis of current knowledge or those that require a little more research. The ability to welcome mistakes and problem solving by applying concepts is an invaluable skill. If I wish to seek answers and engineer solutions to the progression and sustainability of society and the planet, I must be willing to compromise and understand issues in their entirety before jumping in with a half solution.

When I was younger I used to mix random chemicals. I used old boxes of milk and mixed it with deodorant, to see what would happen. When my mom found me, she decided not to be mad but instead found a safe way for my STEM mind to be challenged. She gave me STEM kits and that began my engineering journey. As I got older, I continued to be involved in STEM when I joined the University of Cincinnati's Society of Women Engineers Middle school outreach program. My mind was fascinated with the various projects we completed . I made a prosthetic leg, a paper boat to hold pennies and a tower made out of sticks and marshmallows. I was hooked, I could not wait to learn and do more. When I went into high school I enrolled in an introductory Engineering design class. In this class, I created a wooden toy box, 2D CAD drawing ornaments, and more. These experiences lead me to see engineering as a career. I knew I wanted to do engineering, however, I was unsure of what type of engineering I wanted to pursue. During the next three summers, I participated in the University of Cincinnati's Summer Engineering camps to gain hands-on experience in engineering, college resources, and campus life. At the engineering summer camps, I learned a lot about civil engineering and ultimately picked this field at first because I wanted to work more with water systems and resources. During the pandemic, I became passionate about water resources after watching Mr.Beast’s YouTube channel throughout the years. Specifically, his video called “I Made 100 Wells in Africa” stood out to me. Seeing the joy on all of the people's faces made me realize that I have taken water for granted and that there is more work to be done to fix this issue. While it is great Mr. Beast and his team were able to provide 100 wells, this is only a small portion of millions of people who don't have access to clean water, which is why I joined Engineers without Borders (EWB). Specifically in EWB, I am the Nyambogo committee chair, Nyambogo is a village in Tanzania. I work on designs for Nyambogo’s tanks and pipes. This role has allowed me to enhance my technical writing skills and to make sure my work is ethically correct for the people of Nyambogo. This role has ignited my passion for fixing the water resources problem around the globe and I can't wait to continue my work for EWB. In terms of work experience, this summer I am conducting undergraduate research at the University of Cincinnati as part of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. This co-op experience focuses on the environmental and health impact of volatile organic compounds in indoor spaces. This experience has allowed me to grow my presentation skills, my data analysis skills, and my discipline. When I first heard about this program I never knew research was an option for me. As a first-generation college student, I've only heard of more common occupations. I was really discouraged from doing research because it was unknown to me, however meeting various mentors I realized that I should give it a try. I am forever grateful to my mentors for encouraging me because I don't know what I would have done this summer had I not been a part of his research program. I hope to continue my research in the future. Specifically, research that affects people of color the most, like healthcare or environmental issues.

Currently, I am studying at Drexel University. Drexel as an environmental engineering major. Through my involvement in programs like Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) and the Program for Future Environmental Scientists and Stewardship (ProFESS), the natural sciences have been a significant part of my life. When I entered college, I was initially choosing between environmental science and environmental engineering as my major. I ended up picking the engineering route because I like problem-solving. I want to actively participate in projects or organizations that improve or preserve nature. And majoring in environmental engineering will make it easier for me to enter the environmental service field. Such as the wastewater or drinking water treatment industry or help in remediation or improvement projects. At this moment, I am on my first co-op, interning at the Philadelphia Water Department as an engineering intern at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant, in other words, a wastewater treatment plant. Combined with the other two wastewater treatment plants, we treat all of Philadelphia including some of the surrounding counties' wastewater and stormwater. As the engineering intern, I mainly assist the process engineer, but I also work closely with other engineers, crew chiefs, and operators of the plant. It takes a whole team to manage the plant. My responsibilities are plant checking, library management, data input and data processing, microbiology, assisting managers and operators in their jobs, and lastly learning. I do plant checking once a week for each of the different processes. It is broken down into primary, secondary, and final processes. It is mainly a maintenance check on the equipment plus checking how well the plant is performing. There are indicators of how well the plant is doing. You can predict the numbers from the lab by observing the color of the mixed liquor, the smell in the different process areas, and the foaming of the initial and final discharge. For library management, I organize the blueprints and record them in the database to track which blueprints are in the library and which are not in the online water department database. I also compile data from different sources into an Excel sheet and process it so the process engineer can use it to write his yearly report. My favorite part is microbiology because I get to see what microbes are living in the sludge under the microscope. The microbes are a lot of fun to observe because the different microbes behave differently. Each week the population differs slightly compared to the previous week. Doing the microbiology also gives us a snapshot of the performance in the biological process besides looking at the lab data. Most recently, the process engineer had me help him write the standard operation procedure manuals for plant-specific tasks such as how to drain the tanks. These are my current responsibilities and there are always new tasks that come now and then. I have three more months left of this experience. I am enjoying it so far; almost every week there is something new to experience.

Growing up in Washington, D.C., I witnessed firsthand the challenges of urban infrastructure. From crumbling roads to constant construction projects and frustrating traffic delays, the city’s built environment has always been a focal point of daily life. While these issues can be frustrating, they also sparked my curiosity about how cities function and how engineers design and maintain critical infrastructure. Over time, I came to appreciate the profound impact that engineering has on shaping communities, influencing everything from transportation efficiency to residents’ quality of life. My hands-on experience in engineering began in high school, where I took courses such as Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Aerospace Engineering. These classes provided a strong technical foundation and introduced me to problem-solving approaches used in the field. I also had the opportunity to intern with Raytheon Technologies for a month, where I gained insight into the engineering profession and its real-world applications. Additionally, I have developed skills in MATLAB, Excel, Microbit coding, and SolidWorks—tools that will be essential in my future studies and career. Beyond the technical aspects, my passion for engineering is deeply tied to my commitment to social equity. Growing up in D.C., I have seen how infrastructure disparities disproportionately affect underserved communities—whether through poorly maintained roads, limited public transportation access, or outdated public facilities. These inequities fuel my desire to work on projects that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and fairness. Engineering, to me, is not just about building structures; it’s about creating inclusive spaces that improve lives. My involvement in community service has reinforced this perspective. Contributing to projects like building playgrounds and community gardens in underserved neighborhoods has shown me the tangible impact of well-designed infrastructure. Thoughtful engineering has the power to bring people together, foster community engagement, and enhance overall well-being. As I enter my sophomore year as a Civil Engineering major at Temple University in Fall 2025, I am eager to further develop my skills and apply them to real-world challenges. My ultimate goal is to help build resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. Washington, D.C.—a city that blends historical significance with modern infrastructure challenges—has shaped my vision as an engineer. I aspire to contribute to projects that not only improve the physical landscape of cities but also uplift the communities within them. By combining my technical expertise with a passion for social responsibility, I hope to play a key role in shaping the future of urban infrastructure and making cities more livable for generations to come.

Questions are followed by answers. A simple yes or no. What happens when neither is the case? As a child, I quizzed my parents on every question imaginable. Some were answered with grace, but the mind-boggling ones faced the dreaded phrase, “I Don't Know.” Being a stickler for answers, I decided that was insufficient. So, this followed another challenge for my parents, the big “WHY?” Once again, I confronted the opponent, “I don't know.” As birthdays passed, more questions arose and more people were questioned, but they all led me back to the same foe, “I don't know.” To not know, means to be unaware of something, and to be unaware of something means to be blissfully ignorant of the world of wondrous possibility we live in. How could I possibly live a full life without trying to grasp everything the unknown has to offer? It is difficult to stick to the script given for living life. “If you could choose one thing when you grow up, what would you want to be?” This question often stumped me as the answers are ever changing in my young mind. I’ve considered fields that range from the land and sea to the stars; architect, engineer, marine biologist, cinematographer, aerospace engineer, astrophysicist. The list goes on. All these wondrous options presented to me yet I felt limited to one. Hence, I decided to engineer my own path. There is one thing all these careers have in common; It is the act of discovering the untapped troves of information of the unknown. I do not wish to waste the one life I am granted focused on one aspect of the marvelous world we live in. I endeavor to see and explore everything this planet has to offer using sustainable practices, in so giving back to Mother Nature. My passion for designand improvement revealed itself through my scribbles and drawings, later becoming cardboard models of houses, cartoon characters, structures, and a water dispenser, created out of cardboard and a syringe. To date, my most recent accomplishment is one I am most proud of. Recognized nationally, I received a ranking of 14th on the, ‘Territorial Merit List of Trinidad and Tobago,’ for the subject Technical Drawing(Mechanical). This recognition is not only a privilege but demonstrates my connection to a subject dedicated to design and improvement, which has been a large motivation for my future goals and the paths I wish to take in life. Today our planet and way of life is rapidly deteriorating. How can we mend such damage without leaving every stone unturned? It is our job as mankind to look after the animals and ecosystems that we share this land with. Therefore, I look forward to pursuing mechanical engineering and broadening my experiences by learning different subjects so that I may pursue the path of research. I wish to tap into our potential to better our planet and one day be a voice of change who can bring together society, as we work towards a goal of knowledge and sustainability.

The scent of oil and metal wasn't perfume, but to my eight-year-old self, it was the intoxicating aroma of a world waiting to be built. My great-grandfather, Pop, a man whose hands bore the wisdom of countless creations, held a rusty wrench in mine. It wasn't heavy, but it felt momentous, a key to unlocking a universe of invention. Pop, with his twinkling eyes and grease-stained overalls, wasn't just tinkering with a car engine; he was showing me the magic of engineering. Fast forward a decade, and that childhood fascination hasn't faded. It's transformed into a burning desire to pursue engineering as a career. But my interest isn't just fueled by childhood memories. Summers spent shadowing my stepfather, a civil engineer, haven't been filled with textbooks and lectures. They've been crash courses in the real world – the thrill of watching blueprints come to life as towering bridges took shape, the meticulous planning behind ensuring a new neighborhood had a strong foundation. Witnessing firsthand the dedication and creativity required to build the world around us solidified my passion. Unlike a formal co-op program, these summer experiences were raw and unfiltered. I wasn't just observing; I was actively involved. Holding surveying equipment under the scorching sun, feeling the satisfying thud of a hammer driving a nail, these weren't tasks for show – they were opportunities to understand the nuts and bolts, the literal and figurative, of engineering. But engineering isn't just about physical construction. It's about problem-solving, about finding innovative solutions to challenges. During a school science fair, faced with the task of building the strongest bridge possible using limited materials, my team and I delved into the world of tension and compression forces. The thrill of our bridge defying expectations, holding more weight than any other, wasn't just about winning; it was about the satisfaction of applying engineering principles to a success story. These experiences, both with my great-grandfather and my stepfather, have instilled in me a deep appreciation for the impact engineers have on our lives. From the sturdy bridges we cross daily to the life-saving medical equipment in hospitals, engineering is a silent language that shapes the world we live in. It's more than just a career path; it's a chance to be a creator, an innovator, someone who leaves their mark on the world, not with words, but with structures, systems, and solutions that improve lives. The calloused hands I might have in the future won't just be a testament to hard work, but a symbol of the dreams I nurtured with that rusty wrench so many years ago. Engineering isn't just about building – it's about building a future, brick by innovative brick. And that's the future I'm excited to be a part of.

My name is Brandon Foster, and I am a recent graduate of the Class of 2024, of which I was named valedictorian of my school. Ever since I was little, I have always been passionate about figuring out how things work and why they work. This passion shifted into a love for machines and automobiles since they had me the most curious as to how they work. The men in my family have a lot of history dealing with fields relating to welding, mechanics, and engineering, so I have had tons of exposure to these areas. It also helped that there were highly experienced members of my community who were more than willing to take me on to learn, one of which happened to be an auto shop called Mr. Phil's Auto Shop, which has been around for over a decade. When combined with my passions, I winded up wanting to follow suit and become an engineer as well. One of my greatest aspirations is to secure the necessary resources and funding to pursue a college education. By acquiring knowledge and skills in a field that aligns with my passions and interests, I aim to equip myself with the tools needed for a successful career and a better lifestyle. Through this endeavor, I seek to demonstrate to my younger brother the transformative power of education and how it can open doors to new possibilities and improved circumstances. My heartfelt desire is to create a better life for myself and uplift my family and community along the way. By striving for success and actively seeking opportunities, I hope to inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe in their own potential and pursue their dreams wholeheartedly. I firmly believe that when one person succeeds, it creates a domino effect that spreads to others. As I delve into the intricacies of mechanics, thermodynamics, and design, I envision a future where I can apply this knowledge to address pressing challenges that affect the automotive industry. From analyzing the problems with engine failures in Kia Motors' vehicles to transmission issues in Ford vehicles, I aspire to stand at the forefront of these innovations, collaborating with like-minded individuals to shape a future where our technological progress serves humanity and the environment. I have seen many examples of individuals not being able to afford repairs for their vehicles because of faulty decisions made by manufacturers. I myself have been the subject of this, as my family went months without a mode of transportation due to maintenance needing to be done to our car. As someone who grew up in a small town, within a low-income community and was raised by a single parent, I understand firsthand the challenges and obstacles that can arise. However, I firmly believe that our circumstances do not define our future; rather, it is our determination, resilience, and the positive examples we set that pave the way for a better tomorrow. In five years, I will have graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. It will, without a doubt, be the greatest accomplishment I have completed in my entire academic career. I plan to use this accreditation to obtain a job as an automotive engineer. I want to design and produce the vehicles that are being driven by millions of people and help ensure that they are safe, long-lasting, and affordable. It has also been a dream of mine to own my own auto mechanic shop as well, and maybe one day start a business that deals with a specific specialization like engines or brakes.

I am considering engineering as a career path because of my city and where I am from. I have lived in Washington, D.C., my whole life, and as I grew older, I noticed that there were always issues with the roads, buildings, and the city's infrastructure. The frequent construction projects and traffic delays, while sometimes frustrating, sparked my interest in how things are built and maintained. Observing the intricate interplay between urban development and the daily lives of residents made me realize the vital role engineers play in shaping our cities. Some Hands-on engineering experience that I have are from some engineering classes I took while in High School. I have participated in the following courses Principles of Enigineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Aerospace Engineering. I have also Participated in 1 month internship with Raytheon Technologies learning more about engineering and what exactly engineers do. In the fall of 2024, I will be majoring in Civil Engineering at Temple University. In addition, witnessing the impact of social equity issues in urban environments has solidified my desire to pursue engineering. Infrastructure inequities, such as poorly maintained roads in underserved neighborhoods or limited access to public transport, can significantly affect residents' quality of life. I aspire to work on projects that enhance access and equity, ensuring that all communities benefit from well-designed infrastructure. This commitment to social responsibility is integral to my vision of what it means to be an engineer. Furthermore, my experiences volunteering in community service projects have given me a deeper appreciation for the tangible difference that engineering can make. Helping to build playgrounds and community gardens in underserved areas has shown me firsthand how thoughtful design can create spaces that foster community engagement and well-being. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in engineering, where I can combine technical skills with a passion for community service. In conclusion, my lifelong experience in Washington, D.C., has profoundly shaped my desire to pursue engineering. The city’s unique blend of historical significance and modern challenges presents an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As I consider the role of engineers in creating resilient, sustainable, and equitable urban environments, I am inspired to contribute to a future where cities can thrive for generations to come. I believe that by becoming an engineer, I can play a key role in addressing the infrastructure challenges facing my city and ultimately improve the quality of life for its residents.

Not only can we access the world at our fingertips, but engineers have the power to change the world that we live in. I want to be a part of that change. From a young age, I have been captivated by the possibilities within STEM fields, initially sparked by my participation in local programs like Girls Coding With Girls. This student-run initiative teaches young girls about computer science, and it inspired my early interest in engineering. As a senior in high school, I am now a lead mentor in the same program, and I am determined to inspire young girls to explore STEM, just as I was once inspired. The journey to where I am today has not always been easy, especially as a woman of color in tech spaces that are not always welcoming. However, seeing others who look like me and share my passions has reinforced my resolve to succeed and to prove that I am worthy of my place in this field. Engineering, with its broad array of categories and specializations, offers the opportunity to make significant, positive changes in the world. I am particularly drawn to environmental engineering, where I believe I can contribute to solving critical issues like the urban heat island effect. The summer before my senior year, I participated in an environmental justice internship that profoundly influenced my career path. I worked under the guidance of Dr. Francis, an associate professor of environmental engineering at George Washington University. This internship opened my eyes to the environmental and social injustices faced by minority communities in Baltimore City. Dr. Francis helped channel my anger and frustration into constructive problem-solving using engineering principles. During this internship, I gained hands-on experience using low-cost air quality sensors like PurpleAir monitors and AirBeams, applying data science techniques to interpret the data I collected. This experience solidified my passion for environmental engineering and my commitment to helping marginalized communities. As a minority, I recognize the importance of having engineers of color who can address problems from an insider's perspective. Even after the internship ended, my dedication to environmental engineering continued. I conducted independent research on air quality, sharing my findings with my school's engineering club. Our team presented our research to Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), and I was honored with an award for best research. This recognition further fueled my ambition to study at Carnegie Mellon University, where I hope to work on similar environmental justice issues with Pittsburgh residents. Engineering is about pushing boundaries and questioning established beliefs to create groundbreaking advancements. I am driven by the desire to be part of this transformative process, to build a world where technological advancements address critical issues and benefit everyone. My hands-on experience and continued efforts in environmental engineering have reinforced my decision to pursue this career path. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a tangible difference in my community and beyond, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

I’m thinking engineering as a path of career because when I was younger my father used to give me some engineering problems to solve or he gave me some examples of what an engineer would do and he also told me stories of the engineers he worked with. My father knew this stuff because he was a machinist and worked very closely to some engineers. This inspired me and made interested in solving problems in an engineer's manner. From there on since I was young I’ve been exploring different engineering career paths. It wasn’t until middle school that I’ve found what path of engineering I was going to take. That path was in Chemical Engineering. I chose this path because I’ve always enjoyed science as my favorite subject and Chemistry was something that always interested me after taking a class in middle school. So from that I managed to learn about chemical engineering and was able to learn in engineering and chemistry which is something I love to do. My current career path is in chemical engineering but I would like to pursue a higher degree and obtain my Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering. I say this because I’ve gained a huge interest since high school in drug delivery and the creation drugs. Since starting in my undergraduate career I was involved in 2 research projects, one in drug targeting for influenza done during the summer heading into my sophomore year at the University of Pittsburgh and the other being in drug treatment for neuroblastoma done during my sophomore year at New Mexico Tech my home institution. Both of these were done within my first twos of undergrad and I plan on continuing in my current research lab in drug treatment for neuroblastoma at my home institution. I’ve also got another research project I’m joining this summer at Virginia Commonwealth University. With the research I’ve been conducting, I gained a huge interest in drug delivery in cancer research. I say this because cancer is something so many people may have experienced or know someone who has and I want to be a part of making a treatment that can help combat these diseases. This is my main goal in my career and why I chose my path in engineering. My research I’ve done so far both fall under engineering. Both of these research projects and my upcoming research project are all hands on in the engineering field. For my research done at the University of Pittsburgh, it was hands-on research using computational methods as well as engineering methods such as creating the code, interaction network, and etc. I used the program called RStudio to create a Protein-Protein Interaction Network to find which proteins are best to target influenza using data from a research paper that had patient sample data of the genes. For my research done at New Mexico Tech my home institution it was hands-on in a wet lab setting meaning I was actually working with chemicals and drugs during my time in the lab. In lab I’ve done chemistry synthesis to create the drug and from there we used engineering aspects to create lipids using the drug so it can be packaged into liposomes for neuroblastoma treatment. In this lab I’ve use Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV-VIS, Thin Layer a Chromatography (TLC), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR).