Third Year

Looking back on my third year at the University of Cincinnati, I realize how much this year has pushed me, inspired me, and helped me grow as a leader, student, and person.  I found myself in several roles that required both vision and follow-through, and while it wasn’t always easy, I’m incredibly proud of what I was able to accomplish, and even more excited about what lies ahead.

One of the most meaningful experiences this year was serving as the lead EXPO Chair within CEAS Tribunal.  After six semesters of involvement with EXPO, I had the incredible opportunity to lead the effort to bring the event back to campus for the first time in over 15 years.  We hosted it at Fifth Third Arena, had participation from all majors in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and saw an impressive turnout of undergraduate students.  For the first time in recent history, it truly felt like EXPO had become a college-wide event that brought together students, faculty, and industry partners to celebrate the hard work of our seniors.  Reviving something with such a long legacy was both daunting and rewarding, and I am so proud of what our team accomplished.  I’m now stepping back as EXPO Chair and passing the reins to the two co-chairs I mentored this past spring.  It’s bittersweet, but I’m confident they will continue to grow the event, and I can’t wait to support them from another role within Tribunal.

I also wrapped up my second year as a Student Trustee on the UC Foundation Board of Trustees.  This role has continued to be one of the most impactful parts of my college experience.  This year brought some particularly exciting opportunities, such as presenting an award at the annual spring Alumni Celebration Dinner and speaking at the Foundation Trustee Reception in the fall.  I also continued to build a close relationship with my incredible mentor, Barb, both within and outside of Foundation events.  As the Foundation expands the student trustee role to include three to four students, our mentor/mentee relationship has been highlighted as a model for supporting future student trustees.  This reminds me just how meaningful mentorship can be - a topic I highlighted in my speeches.  I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been slated for a term renewal through Fall 2026, pending a board vote this fall, and I’m eager to continue making the most of this position during my fourth year.

Another highlight of this year was being accepted into the Student Alumni Council.  This group has introduced me to student leaders from across the university, many of whom are outside of CEAS.  It’s been refreshing to collaborate with students from such diverse academic backgrounds and work together to strengthen connections between UC students and alumni.  I’ve grown significantly as a leader in this space, learning how to navigate different leadership styles and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and initiatives.

This year also brought continued professional development through my co-op rotations with Marathon Petroleum.  In the fall, I completed a data analyst and app development co-op that exposed me to a very different technical side of the industry.  This co-op really helped me refine my career goals and better understand the type of work I want to pursue long-term.  I’m currently completing my third co-op rotation with Marathon, this time as a field engineer in Operations, and I’m absolutely loving it.  Being out in the field has reignited my enthusiasm for hands-on engineering work, and I’ve learned so much in a short period of time.  I also served on the Intern/Co-op Advisory Board last fall and am excited to have been selected to serve again this summer.  It’s rewarding to be part of the team that helps improve the co-op experience for other students.

Finally, one of the most memorable experiences of the year was my first time traveling out of the country.  Over spring break, I visited Spain as part of a Spanish art history course, and the trip was truly unforgettable.  We visited cities like Granada, Seville, Toledo, and Madrid, and I found myself completely captivated by the architecture, history, and culture.  The course itself was unlike anything I’d ever taken before, far from the equations and problem sets of engineering, and I loved having the chance to approach learning from a completely different perspective.  Standing in front of works we had studied in class gave me a deeper appreciation for art and culture than I ever expected.  This trip was a reminder of how important it is to seek out new experiences and how much there is still to learn outside my comfort zone.

As I close out my third year at UC, I feel more confident than ever in my ability to lead, connect with others, and tackle new challenges with an open mind.  This year has been one of significant growth, and I’m looking forward to entering my fourth year at UC with a deep sense of purpose and excitement for what’s to come.