On Saturday, February 27, the College of Engineering, Physics, and Computing welcomed twenty middle and high school students from the Latinas Leading Tomorrow program to campus for a day of learning, exploration, and hands-on engineering activities.

Latinas Leading Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization that empowers Latina students by providing access to educational opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development experiences that support their academic and personal growth.

The visit began with an introduction to the field of engineering from Drs. Rebecca Kiriazes and Jason Davison of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who provided an engaging overview of different engineering disciplines and the wide range of career pathways in the field. Students then toured campus, visiting the engineering laboratories, steel design shop, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.

After lunch, students participated in two interactive engineering workshops, where they built a Scribbling Doodle Bot and a Rubber Band–Powered Helicopter. These hands-on activities allowed students to explore creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through the engineering design process.

A special thank you to our student volunteers Serena Tewoldeberhan (Civil Engineering ‘26), Fiorela Aleman (Civil Engineering ‘26), Helina Deres (Computer Science ‘27), and Almudena Soler (Biomedical Engineering ‘29) for helping make the visit a success, as well as to Latinas Leading Tomorrow for their partnership.

It was a wonderful day of mentorship and discovery, inspiring the next generation of engineers. The College looks forward to expanding similar initiatives and partnerships in the future!

Related News