Like mother, like daughter: Purdue Engineering graduates share special bond
A daughter’s path to Purdue sparks her mother’s return to school. They'll graduate at the same commencement with master’s degrees.
At Purdue Engineering’s commencement this week, one family’s journey will culminate in a mother and daughter crossing the stage of Elliott Hall of Music together, each earning a master’s degree.
Their shared milestone has been shaped by hours of homework together in the Purdue Memorial Union basement, dozens of commutes between Indianapolis and West Lafayette and years of unwavering persistence. Their achievements are a powerful testament to resilience, sacrifice and the kind of mutual support that turns ambition into reality.
May 14 is the day. While attending the same afternoon commencement, Karina Hollis-Brau will earn her Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics (AAE), while her mom, Ariana Hollis-Brau, will receive her MS in electrical and computer engineering (ECE).
Indiana or bust
Their Purdue story began in 2019 when Karina entered her freshman year, having moved from Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California. About halfway through the first semester, her dad, Robert Hollis-Brau, was offered a promotion with his company. He could work from home, but there was one caveat: His home base had to be in the Eastern time zone.
“We asked if Indiana might be an option, and it was. It felt like all the stars aligned,” Ariana said. “Before making the decision, we made sure Karina was comfortable with the idea, and she was very supportive. We ultimately moved to Indianapolis so my husband could be close to the airport since he also travels for work.”
Ariana began her career at 17 years old as an aviation electronics technician in the U.S. Navy, specializing in calibration. After her military exit, she was working with instrumentation and controls and discovered that she enjoyed the engineering end of things. “However, I often felt there was foundational knowledge I was missing,” she said.
She already had earned a Bachelor of Science in electronic systems technologies from Southern Illinois University in 2013. Upon arriving in Indiana, she started at Ivy Tech Community College with a “let’s see how it goes” mindset. “My plan was simple: If I could handle the coursework and we could make it work financially, I would keep going.”
From Ivy Tech, she transferred to then-Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and eventually qualified for Veterans Administration support. After the two universities agreed to split IUPUI in 2024, Ariana transitioned from the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology to being a Purdue engineering student in Indianapolis. With a GPA of 3.95, she earned her BS in August 2025 as part of the exclusive Purdue 4+1 Program, which allows students in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering to earn both a BS and MS in as few as five years.
“Pursuing my Purdue engineering degree has been one of the hardest things I have ever done,” Ariana said. “I took my first calculus class when I was 40 years old, and I remember feeling a lot of doubt when I enrolled. But to my surprise, I loved it. That experience helped me realize that I was capable of learning things that once felt completely out of reach.”
During her studies, she also has worked on campus as a graduate assistant in the Office of Future Engineers. In this role, she supports recruitment and outreach by coordinating communications, assisting with events and information sessions, and supervising peer counselors who help engage prospective and admitted students.
“My background in industry, combined with my experience as both a student and a parent, allows me to connect with prospective students and their families in a unique way,” Ariana said.
Model behavior
For Karina, the higher education example was set early. As a grade-schooler, she watched both of her parents balance family and careers while pursuing their first bachelor’s degrees, and later, in high school, her father attended law school at night while working full time.
“Looking back, I remember my parents studying a lot, but they always made time for me and my school events and extra-curriculars,” Karina said. “They both worked very hard to get to where they are now. I’m grateful to have grown up with such great role models.”
Many college freshmen would’ve taken a dim view of their whole family making a 2,000-mile move and living less than an hour away. But not Karina.
“I missed home frequently during my freshman year and missed my family most of all. I was happy they were able to move closer,” Karina said.
An added bonus: She would have the opportunity to be a part of her 9-year-old sister Cecily’s life. “We have a large age gap, and since I was moving away, I worried that I would no longer be able to spend as much time with her.” Instead, she could be present for birthdays and, when possible, school events.
With her homesickness a nonissue, Karina said she has had the “true college experience”— “living on a big college campus, meeting some incredible people and late-night study sessions with my closest friends.”
Throughout her time at Purdue, she has played in multiple ensembles as a member of Purdue Bands and Orchestras and has participated in Purdue’s Baile Folklórico club, influencing her sister to now dance with a club in Indianapolis.
A solid decision
As much as Karina enjoyed her undergraduate years, she wasn’t sold on graduate school until her senior seminar class. One of the guest speakers was an alumna at a large aerospace company.
The alumna discussed how she completed a research-based master’s program at Zucrow Labs, the world’s largest academic propulsion laboratory.
“After hearing her talk, I decided that I needed to do the same thing, and I am happy to share that I am currently working on solid fuels and propellants at Zucrow,” said Karina, adding that it didn’t hurt that the Purdue AAE graduate program is ranked No. 5 in the nation. Plus, having her mom nearby and pursuing her own engineering master’s degree offered further benefits.
“My favorite part is getting to study together. Around finals season, she would come up to West Lafayette, and we would hunker down in the library to study. Even if we weren’t working on the same classes, having her there helped me stay on top of things — especially for grad school because a lot of friends have already graduated,” Karina said.
Ariana concurred, adding that she often benefitted from her daughter being one year ahead. “I was able to go to her for help with physics, and I would sometimes crash on her couch. Engineering school is challenging, but going through it at the same time made it much easier for us to support each other and stay motivated.”
The pair also attended a mutual class, MATH 511 in fall 2025, studying together for exams and the final.
Looking to the future
While living in Indiana, Robert passed the California bar exam, necessitating a move back to the Golden State this June. Ariana has accepted an offer with a major space systems contractor as a principal test engineer.
“For most of my life, I never imagined that becoming an engineer was even a possibility for me,” Ariana said. “I am a first-generation college student, and both of my parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. My dad has a fourth-grade education, but he is one of the most emotionally intelligent people I know. My parents worked incredibly hard to give us opportunities they never had, and because of that, I carry a deep sense of pride in my culture and where I come from.”
At the same time, she is keenly aware that there are many who are just as capable of high academic achievement if given the opportunity. “That realization is never lost on me,” Ariana said.
“More than anything, I hope my journey shows that people from all kinds of backgrounds belong in engineering. I’m especially proud that both of my daughters have been able to watch this journey unfold. If they take anything from my experience, I hope it’s the belief that it’s never too late to pursue something challenging, and that opportunity, when it is given, can change the trajectory of an entire family.”
Earning her engineering degrees has given her a tremendous amount of confidence in her abilities. “I’ve not only been prepared technically, but I’ve also strengthened my resilience, problem-solving skills and belief that I can take on difficult challenges as I move forward professionally.”
Karina is set to join a major defense contractor as a systems engineer in Phoenix, where she will support the integration and testing of satellites. “It’s an easy weekend trip back to California, so I also get to stay close to family,” she said.
As a Purdue engineer, she will enter her career with invaluable technical experience that she gleaned from her internships, extracurricular activities and research involvement.
“I think Purdue has a great reputation in the industry,” Karina said. “People see you have a Purdue degree, and they know it means something. There also are many Purdue engineers out there, so meeting alumni in the workforce brings an instant connection.”
Mutual adoration
“This has been a very unique and special experience for us. Karina has been a huge inspiration to me, and I am incredibly proud of her and everything she has accomplished,” Ariana said.
Karina still marvels at her mom’s multi-tasking abilities.
"I admire how she is able to succeed in her education at such a high level while taking care of a family,” Karina said. “I really look up to her, and I am very proud to call her my mother."
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