B.S. BME '21

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

"It is perfectly ok to struggle, everyone does, but what is important is how you get through difficult times. Always ask for help when you need it, whether it is from professors, friends, academic advisors, etc. They are there to assist you and are very capable of getting you through rough patches."

Campus Involvement:

• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Region IV Engineering Diversity Chair (2021 - 2022 Academic Year)
• Purdue Chapter Membership Chair (Fall 2021)
• Region IV Academic Excellence Chair (2020- 2021 Academic Year)
• Student Ambassador, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
• MEP Student Tutor
• MEP Ab7G Mentor
• R&D Test Engineering Co-op, Surgical Robotics, Ethicon Endo-surgery (Spring 2020)
• R&D Design Engineering Co-op, End-mechanical Devices, Ethicon Endo-surgery (Spring 2021)
• Advanced Operations Intern, Stryker Instruments (Summer 2019)
• Manufacturing Intern, Stryker Instruments (Summer 2021)
• LSAMP Undergraduate Research, Solorio Laboratory BME (Spring 2018 - Fall 2019)
• EPICS, Children Educational Demonstrations (CED) team (Fall 2017 - Fall 2019)

Were you involved with the Minority Program Summer Engineering Workshops? If yes, what was your role, and how did you benefit from them?

My first experience with MEP summer workshops was the summer of 2017 when I participated in the Academic Boot Camp (ABC). This opportunity aided my seamless transition to the rigors of Purdue First-Year Engineering and I was able to gain access to a support system that would see me through the next four years at Purdue. The following summer, I served as a counselor for MITE and PREFACE, where I was able to give back to MEP's mission and inspire others to see themselves as future Purdue Engineers.

Tell our audience about what you have gained from the Minority Engineering Program. How has MEP affected you as an engineering student? What do you get through MEP that you don't get from other programs on campus?

MEP has been there for me in multiple facets of my career. From helping me succeed academically by providing free tutoring to supporting me professionally through the plethora of networking opportunities with companies. In addition, the invaluable experience of having a community at Purdue to support me every step of the way is another way I have benefited immensely from MEP.

What are you most proud of in your time at Purdue and MEP? Any favorite memories to share?

MEP has been my support system from the start of my career at Purdue to the end. Of all the amazing moments I've had, I think my favorite memories have to be my ABC experience because this is where I met most of my closest friends and being able to grow with the same group of people for 4 years was definitely amazing.

What are your post-graduation plans?

After graduation, I will be moving to San Jose, CA to work as a manufacturing engineer at Stryker Endoscopy, working on surgical devices. Eventually, I see myself going back to school at some point to obtain a master's in Bio-instrumentation, Bio-electricity or a related subset of Biomedical Engineering. In addition, I would like to obtain an MBA or Engineering Management Masters to help me with my professional career.

How do you foresee yourself being involved with Purdue/MEP post-graduation?

In any way that MEP needs me to be involved. Whether it is through speaking engagements or other ways.