Hometown: Reno
Civil engineering, with an emphasis in structural engineering (class of 2023)

What got you interested in engineering?

My interest in engineering came as a kid when I would see my father come home from a long day of work in construction. He would tell me all about the job sites he was working on and what the new building was going to become. Sometimes we would walk in buildings and he would show me some of the work he himself had done on the buildings. This sparked my interest and ultimately led me to pursue a career in engineering, where you have the potential to actually design the things my dad proudly built and turn peoples dreams into reality.

What impact do you hope to have through your engineering career?

I have a lot planned for my career as an engineer but ultimately, I would like to own my own construction engineering company where I have the ability to design and take part in building my design. (I would also like to) come up with faster and more efficient building systems that can be implemented in the world of construction. Through my company, I also plan to start a program to help inspire young, first-generation students to pursue higher education by offering financial and guided support.

What does the CREATE program mean to you?

The CREATE program has been an enormous help in my education. Besides the financial support it offers, the program has so many great resources that helped guide me through my college experience when I felt lost. Being a first-generation student, there were times where I felt completely lost … and CREATE was always there to support, offering things such as job opportunities to career advice. The faculty in the program were always there to help guide me along the way.

In what ways has your peer mentor helped you?

I’ve had two peer mentors while in the program: Steffany Yang and Skylar Bogardus. They offered me so much support along my academic career, whether it be a quick question about future classes that they’ve taken or maybe some advice on how to study for an exam. They were always there to help.

What advice would you give someone looking to follow in your footsteps?

Always work hard in everything you do. You should always strive to be the best through hard work, as it will always show and the opportunities will be sure to come. Every once in a while, take a step back and acknowledge how far you’ve come and just be proud of yourself as this will be your fuel to keep going and never give up on your dreams.