Why did you choose to study at WPI?  

The main reason I chose to study at WPI was because of the strong sense of community. I vividly remember stepping on campus while I was touring and the energy I felt was incomparable to any other campus that I stepped foot on. I also chose this school because of the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). This is an opportunity that is unique to this school, and I love how normal it is to take a term abroad and enjoy unforgettable experiences, while also being immersed in a collaborative working environment. 

How are you involved with the WPI community?  

There’s a strong sense of family in every single one of these organizations that I take part in because we share the same goals and interests. The main organizations I am involved with are the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Engineering Ambassadors, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), and The Period Agenda (TPA). 

The mentee/mentor program is strong within SASE. This provided me with an opportunity to get advice from older members in my major and allowed me to help younger members with the questions I once had when I first joined the WPI community. It was nice to have a community to fall back on, especially since everything was so new to me during freshman year. Being thrown into all these new experiences in such a short span of time, I looked to SASE as a home away from home. SASE also allowed me to experience countless professional opportunities. From the SASE National Conference, which was held in Atlanta, GA this year, I was able to achieve my full career potential with other collegiate peers in the Asian STEM community. One of the main pillars of SASE is professional development and, by having attended this conference, I gained specific leadership skills that will benefit my professional development. 

Being a part of Engineering Ambassadors provided me with countless professional skills and a community within a community. My leadership skills have grown immensely since we teach kids about STEM through presentations and activities. From this, I’ve learned how to effectively communicate technical information to a wide variety of audiences. 

The Period Agenda is another one of the organizations that I take part in. As the vice president, I am extremely passionate about the advocacy for women's health and the removal of the stigma around menstruation. I am looking to further the advancement of this club on campus. We host information sessions to help educate everyone on menstruation and help provide the underprivileged with period care. 

What’s your favorite thing about WPI?  

Everyone is supportive and welcoming. When I’m on campus, I never fail to see a friendly face. I love the countless clubs that WPI offers because there is something for everybody. I genuinely love the community at this school. Despite everyone coming from different backgrounds, it’s so easy to connect with others and bond over the fact that we are putting in all our efforts to succeed. 

Do you have a faculty or staff mentor?  

Professor Pratap Rao has been such a helpful mentor ever since meeting him through working in his research lab. He gave me the experience of working in a mechanical engineering lab and I was privileged to have this experience during my freshman year. This was my first experience in an academic research lab and it was a great opportunity to test my problem-solving skills in a real-life setting. 

Professor Adrien Stoloff has been influential to me because his classes allowed me to have a broader perspective on the world around me. I completed my capstone project for my humanities requirement with him and the meditation seminar he taught left me with lifelong skills that I am currently incorporating in my life. 

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

Project-based learning has allowed me to develop my communication skills with people I work with despite us having different backgrounds. Learning how to work on projects with others is an essential skill to have in the professional field, so I am grateful to have this relevant experience in my education.