Why did you choose to study at WPI? 

I choose to study at WPI because of two main reasons: the student diversity and the project-based learning. The student diversity here on campus is a truly enriching experience for me. Never in my life I would’ve thought that I was going to have friends from Russia, India, Iraq, Ecuador, and many other countries. Engaging with students from different backgrounds and cultures has definitely broadened my perspective and fostered meaningful connections. Additionally, the project-based learning is one of a kind. It definitely played a huge role at why I chose to study at WPI because it helps you foster critical thinking and problem solving-skills. We, as students, are engaging in real-world challenges that require us to analyze information and develop solutions.

How are you involved with the WPI community? 

Right now, I’m working as a Crimson Key tour guide for the admissions office, am the interim DEIB chair for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the financial director for the Enactus Club. When I first arrived at WPI, being a tour guide was the first thing on my mind. It’s a rewarding experience that allows you to share your experiences at WPI, while helping prospective students discover what makes WPI special. Moreover, I chose to be part of SWE because it’s a club that empowers women in STEM, while providing a supportive and educational environment, and hosts amazing events throughout the year. Finally, I joined Enactus because I was interested in its unique mission of developing students’ mindset skills, such as a leadership and entrepreneurship.

What’s your favorite thing about WPI? 

Definitely how friendly and reachable the faculty and staff are. They are always willing to help you with whatever you need, while making sure that you are having the best experience possible. They not only want you to succeed academically, but also give support for your mental and physical health.

Do you have a faculty or staff mentor? 

A staff member that has been like a mentor to me is Stefano DeAngelis. He’s a member of the Career Development Center, which is one of my favorite resources at WPI. He has helped me with my resume, career, LinkedIn account, and many other things. Stefano is my career advisor as well as a mentor because he’s always checking on how I’m doing, asking how my life is going, and seeing what he can help me with. He has made an impact on me because of how passionate he is in wanting to see me succeed. He pushes me outside of my comfort zone, which makes me grow in so many personal levels. I can definitely say that Stefano is one of the most authentic and thoughtful people I’ve met here at WPI.

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

Project-based learning at WPI has influenced my education in so many ways. I get to apply the theory that I’m learning in lecture in real-life laboratories. By working with different majors, I’m opening my mind and getting a glimpse of what life after college is really like. The project-based learning makes the classes more engaging, encouraging, and challenges students to solve complex problems rather than just memorize facts. With this type of teaching, we get to analyze, evaluate, and create. Getting the chance to work in a chemistry lab with actual substances, lab equipment, and machinery makes it so much easier to understand all the concepts.