Why did you choose to study at WPI?

WPI offered the STEM-focused education I was looking for in a college, while also allowing me to pursue my passion for music. I knew I wanted to be an engineer, so the choice to enter WPI undecided and explore a variety of engineering-related disciplines helped me feel at ease despite not knowing exactly what area I wanted to study. Like many STEM students, I also knew that I wanted to get history and English classes over with as soon as possible. To my surprise, WPI let me learn more about music for my humanities instead! This also extended into varied extra-curricular opportunities, so I chose to participate heavily in choir and a cappella.

How are you involved with the WPI community? 

My love for music drew me into Alden Voices and the Audiophiles a cappella group early on in my education at WPI. I very quickly was drawn to deepen my involvement, so I become the business manager of my a cappella group and have been serving in that position for three years now. WPI's small community makes it easy to become an executive board officer in the area you feel most passionate, and I am glad to help my group reach its highest potential.

Beyond music, I also am the CEO of Gompei's Goat Cheese (GGC). Many industrial engineering major friends of mine have worked with this business. Through them, I was offered the chance to apply to be a sales associate. The chance to work for a student-run, non-profit business seemed fun, and I also knew that it would provide me with real business experience. I was soon promoted to chief sales officer and then finally to chief executive officer, where I help to guide the officer board to reach new heights. I've met many friends in other majors through GGC and gained invaluable work experience that I use to relate to working professions.

What’s your favorite thing about WPI? 

I love the passionate student body. When I arrived at WPI, the talent of the other students blew me away. Even though we are well known for being studious and logic driven, WPI students are also creative and ambitious with their passions outside of schoolwork.

Do you have a faculty or staff mentor? 

Two faculty members made a major impact on my studies at WPI.

The first is Professor Walter Towner. He taught the first class I had in my major: Engineering Economics. I wanted to make a good impression by sitting in the front of the class and staying engaged during lectures. In the spring of my sophomore year, I wanted to do an internship and thought the best way to make connections was to first reach out to professors. I approached Professor Towner with my concerns and asked if he had any research opportunities or leads for me. He talked with me after class to get to know me better, then connected me with the CEO of Johnson Controls to have a conversation, and helped me get my first internship that summer at Sam's Club. Professor Towner is now my Major Qualifying Project professor and never fails to support me when I need help. He always has a fun story to tell and some business advice to give.

Professor Joshua Rohde, the WPI choral director, has also proven to be an extremely supportive professor. He takes time to get to know all his students, despite having little time during each rehearsal to get to know the large group. He also serves as the advisor to my a cappella group. He is very helpful in organizing our performances and makes sure we get the help needed in this student-run group. He also checks in with his students when they're stressed, as I have been many times throughout my education at WPI, and serves as a friendly face to hear about what's going on. Professor Rohde is someone at WPI who I genuinely feel comfortable approaching and working with, which has been invaluable to my studies here.

How has WPI’s project-based learning influenced your education? 

I have really appreciated the project-based learning that WPI has to offer because it has helped me to shape my teamwork skills. This was especially true on my Interactive Qualifying Project in Berlin, Germany in the spring of 2022. I had to prepare my project with three other students during a seven-week term to prepare, but then also travel abroad with them to execute our project. This required discipline, organizational skills, communication, and drive to keep us in line and create a cohesive final report. These skills have proven helpful in my internship experiences, and I hope they will continue to be helpful in the real world.