Hi, I'm Naomi
I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama with two brothers and my loving parents. At the age of twelve, I was diagnosed with a rare type of lymphatic cancer that I had to do intense treatments for. This same cancer would later return after my freshman year of college, but again I overcame it. My experience with cancer had a great impact on the person I have become today and I continue to use my voice to bring awareness to childhood cancer. As for how I got into engineering, I have my family to thank. Following my two older brothers foot steps, I joined my High Schools Engineering Academy where my interest in engineering began. In addition to this, I have always had an interest in environmental and biological sciences. I care deeply for the earth and all of the valuable life that is supported by its complex biological processes. I found that Biosystems Engineering was the perfect major to marry my interest together.
I am studying Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Sustainability so that I will be equipped with the necessary skills to solve global problems concerning the environment. I always tell people that I chose this major for three reasons. Engineering provided a challenge, peaked my interest in a fun way, and provides me with the opportunity to make a meaningful living for myself. Aside from developing technical design and problem solving skills, my liberal arts minor will educate me about the interpersonal side of problem solving. Not only am I learning about the social and economic aspect of environmental issues, I am being taught the intricacies that go into developing and implementing a system to solve problems. With this education I will be able to take knowledge on topics I find interesting and apply it to make a meaningful impact.
Upon my graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for Biosystems Engineering, focusing on hydrology. After I recieve my master degree, I wish to design green infrastructure for urban areas. The way we develop land and construct buildings does not always take into consideration the impact it will have on the environment. Humans and nature are a part of a large systems that must coexist in the same biological spheres. By making improvements to urban infrastructure, we could cause a ripple of positive impacts across the earth. My main goal in pursuing engineering is to improve the quality of life for others in a way that is resourceful, sustainable, and intuitive. From green infrastructure, resource management, and agriculture, there are many ways I see my self working to make our world function more effectively. In addition to this, I want to be an educator and entrepreneur. As I said I enjoy interacting with and making personal connections with people. Educating others about sustainability and the environment would be an excellent way for me to make positive changes through human interaction. As for becoming an entrepreneur, I want to make something of my own that I can be proud of. Starting a business surrounding my ideas about uplifting minorities, healthy environmental practices or sustainability is a critical goal of mine.
I am studying Biosystems Engineering with a minor in Sustainability so that I will be equipped with the necessary skills to solve global problems concerning the environment. I always tell people that I chose this major for three reasons. Engineering provided a challenge, peaked my interest in a fun way, and provides me with the opportunity to make a meaningful living for myself. Aside from developing technical design and problem solving skills, my liberal arts minor will educate me about the interpersonal side of problem solving. Not only am I learning about the social and economic aspect of environmental issues, I am being taught the intricacies that go into developing and implementing a system to solve problems. With this education I will be able to take knowledge on topics I find interesting and apply it to make a meaningful impact.
Upon my graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for Biosystems Engineering, focusing on hydrology. After I recieve my master degree, I wish to design green infrastructure for urban areas. The way we develop land and construct buildings does not always take into consideration the impact it will have on the environment. Humans and nature are a part of a large systems that must coexist in the same biological spheres. By making improvements to urban infrastructure, we could cause a ripple of positive impacts across the earth. My main goal in pursuing engineering is to improve the quality of life for others in a way that is resourceful, sustainable, and intuitive. From green infrastructure, resource management, and agriculture, there are many ways I see my self working to make our world function more effectively. In addition to this, I want to be an educator and entrepreneur. As I said I enjoy interacting with and making personal connections with people. Educating others about sustainability and the environment would be an excellent way for me to make positive changes through human interaction. As for becoming an entrepreneur, I want to make something of my own that I can be proud of. Starting a business surrounding my ideas about uplifting minorities, healthy environmental practices or sustainability is a critical goal of mine.
Extra-CurricularNational Society of Black Engineers
NSBE's mission is to "increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community". I have been a collegiate member of this organization for 3 years and have found a great sense of community among the other students. As a student in an institution and major where I am a minority in more ways than one, it's important to have a place where I can connect with others. I found NSBE my freshmen year and ever since I have joined committees, served on the executive board as the Technical Outreach and Community Help Chair, and attended professional conferences that allow me to network with of minorities in engineering. In my leadership positions I got experience organizing a team of individuals and organizing large community events. Engineers Without Borders
I just recently became a Member of EWB and I have joined the Bolivia Tank design Team. Our organization uses our engineering education to help empower communities to meet basic needs. In my role on the tank design team I am able to exercise my design skills and I have learned the intricacies that go into planning a project across the globe. We effectively address global issues and build relationships with international communities. I have been able to interact with engineers from many different major and with a variety of skill sets, but we all share the common goal of wanting to use our expertise to improve the lives of others. |
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Academic Excellence Program
The Academic Excellence program provides engineering students with professional, academic, and interpersonal resources. We hold career development workshops, tutoring sessions, and a collaborative learning environment for engineers from all majors. I serve as an Ambassador for the program and am a part of their student mentoring initiative. As an ambassador I am responsible introducing new students to the program, volunteering at events, and facilitating tours in our office. When we have a guest or new student, I 'm one of the people who will tell them all the information they need about the program. As a mentor I was paired with an incoming freshmen, we would have bimonthly meetings where we had discussion about academics and professional development. This program has been crucial to my success as an engineer, and offer many resources for any issue I may have.
Grand Challenges Scholar Program
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering's vision for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program is to provide opportunities for broadening the student educational experience, enhance students' understanding of challenges facing society and enhance student and graduate engagement in finding solutions to societal issues. The primary goal of Auburn's program is to produce students with the skills, broad knowledge, and ideas to significantly contribute to developing solutions to the world's most pressing technical issues and the engineering grand challenges during the 21st century. As secretary I have been in charge of all funding and finances for the program. This includes monitoring transactions, creating budgets, and organizing benefit nights with local partners. To complete my criteria for the program I've begun to explore undergraduate research opportunities and have taken courses outside of my typical engineering curriculum. (See Academics Section)
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering's vision for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program is to provide opportunities for broadening the student educational experience, enhance students' understanding of challenges facing society and enhance student and graduate engagement in finding solutions to societal issues. The primary goal of Auburn's program is to produce students with the skills, broad knowledge, and ideas to significantly contribute to developing solutions to the world's most pressing technical issues and the engineering grand challenges during the 21st century. As secretary I have been in charge of all funding and finances for the program. This includes monitoring transactions, creating budgets, and organizing benefit nights with local partners. To complete my criteria for the program I've begun to explore undergraduate research opportunities and have taken courses outside of my typical engineering curriculum. (See Academics Section)