Why did you choose Purdue?

Growing up as a fan of another B1G school, I knew I wanted to stay in the athletics and academic Midwest culture that I loved. Purdue matched many criteria for me in providing a large campus population, new social sphere away from home, and a specific environmental and ecological engineering major. No other schools provided that same combination and Purdue has turned out to be a fantastic fit.

Why did you choose engineering as a major?

Rather than studying a science where skills are gained to diagnose problems, engineering provided an opportunity to become a creative problem-solver. In the context of growing environmental and ecological conservation need, I suspected that an engineering degree would provide me actionable skills that could lead me to build tangible outcomes as I work within the field of environmentalism.

What is your favorite thing about being a Purdue Engineer?

Purdue engineering, with its large international and domestic draw, provides an excellent opportunity for me to learn from people that come from a variety of backgrounds academically and socially. I enjoy the culture within Purdue Engineering that is centered around collaboration and making sure that students have many avenues of support from their peers, professors, and other faculty.

What is your secret to success in the College of Engineering?

Personal reflection is my secret to success. As a member of the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation, I've been opportunistically forced to reflect frequently on my Purdue experience and the kinds of resources that I am seeking out. As a tour guide, I've had to publicly reflect on my experiences and I have found extensive benefits in being vulnerable and honest about my own experiences with others. This has allowed me to take a step back from errors I have made, and correct course frequently.

What is your favorite Purdue memory?

During the Spring semester of my sophomore year at Purdue, I did a co-op rotation near Houston, TX. I visited Purdue for a weekend during that April and the 48 hours spent on campus are some of my fondest to date. Leaving Purdue for a semester opened a new perspective to me that made me incredibly grateful for the experiences and friends that I have been able to gain on campus. During that weekend, I sat with friends in their dorm rooms, went out for lunch, and spent time with members of my organization again. This weekend encompassed the best of my experiences and transformed the 'normal' to something I would not take for granted again.