Rossin Junior Fellows are undergraduate students who serve as ambassadors for the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. These students help with recruiting efforts and peer mentoring. The most recent class of Rossin Junior Fellows includes the following students from Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics.
Name: Audrey Benson (she/her)
Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering with Spanish Minor, class of 2022
Where are you from? Newtown, CT
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer is the community that comes with my major. I have met many of my friends through my classes, and everyone regardless of knowing each other is always ready to help one another. It means a lot to me to be able to turn to another classmate and ask a question in class and know that they care enough to help me with whatever my concern is. There are also so many mentorships and clubs dedicated to engineering that have influenced my time as a Lehigh engineer, and I cherish the relationships I've created through them.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
I loved physics in high school. I took honors physics my junior year and then AP physics C because I couldn't get enough of it. I loved the way it explained everything I'd already experienced in my life, and I was able to understand the way the world works through my understanding of physics. What I loved most was the applications of kinematics that we would work through. When considering my major at my arrival to college, I came in with this love of applying what I know to learn more about how things move and function. I wanted to do more of the hands-on portion of physics, which led me to mechanical engineering.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
I like to think I've really embraced the Lehigh experience and become involved in many different things here at Lehigh. I'm mainly involved in the Women's Club Ultimate Frisbee team as well as Swing Dance club among a few others. I am a Peer Tutor for a mechanical engineering course, and a Rossin Junior Fellow to help mentor other students. I was also an Orientation Leader for the past two years. Finally, I'm involved in two incredible mentorships, the Women in MechE Mentorship and the Iris Mentorship through the Pride Center, where I've met some of the most supportive people in my life.
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
Professor Haden has been such a cheerleader for me all the way since freshman year. I was in her class for MECH 003 during the fateful semester that first got sent online due to COVID-19. Though I only had half of a semester in person with her, it was apparently plenty for her to see the best in me. After that class ended, I was lucky enough to get Professor Haden as my academic advisor, and she encouraged me to join her mentorship program for women in mechanical engineering. Any time I felt like I was having a world-ending crisis about my schedule or my future, a quick conversation with her eased all my fears. She reminded me how hard I've worked and that everything will turn out okay. Over the years, Professor Haden has been the extra push for me to become the best version of myself here at Lehigh. She is continually recommending me for leadership roles and encouraging me even when I don't think I'm worthy. I never would have attempted to do all the things I am successful at now if it wasn't for her positivity and kindness over the past three years.
What are your plans for after graduation?
Right now, my post-graduation plans are very much up in the air. I have a general plan to travel abroad immediately following graduation for a few months up to a year, since COVID took away my ability to study abroad. I am graduating early so I am in no rush to begin working, but when I do I hope to work in the aerospace industry.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
As a woman in engineering, I am frequently a minority in my classes and offices. The company I worked for this past summer only had two women in their engineering building, and those two women were myself and another fellow intern. To combat this, I think representation is the most important thing. To have female engineering professors, to show younger generations that women and other minorities CAN be engineers, to be able to voice our opinions and not get our ideas shot down because of who said them. This month feels especially important as a woman in mechanical engineering because now is our time to create the representation that is needed to encourage minorities in our field.
Name: Kylie Frew (she/her)
Education: : Awarded or expected degree(s), any minors, graduation year(s) Expected Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation Year: 2024
I intend to obtain a minor in computer science
Where are you from? I am from Manalapan, New Jersey.
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer is the constant support received from faculty and the numerous opportunities provided to grow as an engineer and explore different disciplines.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
I first got interested in mechanical engineering when looking for majors that would allow me to combine my interests in math and physics with my passion for art. As someone who has both painted and drawn for years, I wanted to find a way to combine both my analytical and artistic skills. Mechanical engineering provides this opportunity since many engineering problems require a creative mindset in order to solve them.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
Outside course work, I primarily focus on working on my research that I conduct as a part of the Nano-Human Interfaces Presidential Initiative under the instruction of Dr. Joshua Agar. My research primarily focuses on interactive data visualization of large datasets and applying machine learning algorithms to understand different material properties.
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
An important mentor for me during my time as a college student is Dr. Joshua Agar as he, not only gave me the opportunity to conduct research, but also encourages me to be persistent in seeking out new solutions when I reach roadblocks in my research.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My post-graduation plans focus on attending graduate school to obtain my PhD. I hope to obtain a graduate degree that combines my mechanical engineering knowledge with computer science in a similar manner to my current research.
Name: Chris Gerazounis He/Him
Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Business
Where are you from? Long Island, New York
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part about being a lehigh engineer is the hands-on learning we get to partake in. Starting from ENGR-010 we get to work with arduinos and learn how to code them. While they could be frustrating at times, nothing was more satisfying than correctly wiring and coding the arduino to complete a specific function. Moving into ME-010, graphics for engineering design, we learned how to use solidworks to 3D model different objects. I am excited to apply these solidworks skills in manufacturing as a Junior and actually get to see my 3D model take a tangible form through injection molding. These opportunities are great because we get to take what we learn about in class and apply it to real life scenarios.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
My interest in mechanical engineering stems from my need to understand how the world around me works. It could be something as simple as the spring mechanism of a pen or the otto cycle of a car engine, I’m curious as to how it functions. As a kid I always loved playing with legos and using them to build different structures. In high school physics I knew for certain I wanted to be a mechanical engineer, as the class was interesting and doing work for it didn’t feel like a chore. If all of that wasn’t enough, it also helps that my dad, uncle, cousin, and older brother are all mechanical engineers so it’s starting to become a family tradition.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
Outside of my course work, I am the President of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity. As President, I have several responsibilities including running weekly chapter meetings, organizing community service and philanthropic events, and planning career nights with alumni. I also manage an executive board to oversee finances, housing, accreditation reports, and new member education within the chapter. Outside of our chapter I meet with the presidents of the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the Cultural Greek Council on a regular basis to discuss relevant issues within the community and how to improve greek life at Lehigh.
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
My high school physics teacher has been my greatest mentor to this day. At the end of my junior year, it was time to select our classes for senior year. I was planning on taking AP Calculus AB and AP Physics C Mechanics because I didn’t think I would be able to handle anything more difficult. When I told him my plans he immediately told me to take AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C Mechanics and Electromagnetism. At first I thought there was no way, I would never be able to perform well in either class. Fast forward a year later I received an A in both and 13 credits that I was able to use at Lehigh. Without him I would have never challenged myself and I am so grateful for him helping me realize I am capable of anything I put my mind to.
What are your plans for after graduation?
For the past three years I have been interning at an engineering consulting firm in New York City. The company itself specializes in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, fire alarm, and technology design services. In this role I have worked on the mechanical side and developed HVAC construction documents utilizing software such as autoCAD and Revit. I also had the opportunity to visit job sites in their construction phase such as a 50th floor penthouse with a beautiful view of the Empire State building. So far I love the construction industry and the design of building systems and hope to pursue this field after graduation.
Name: Amanda Greaney (she/her)
Education: Mechanical Engineering Major – Graduating 2024
Where are you from? Lansdale, Pennsylvania
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
I love the community I am surrounded with on a daily basis. Both the faculty and my fellow students pursuing a similar career motivate me to be the best version of myself every day. I look forward to seeing all the familiar faces in the classroom and around campus. The Rossin College is truly a welcoming community that I am so happy to be a part of.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
Back in middle school I had the opportunity to take a few engineering classes which I absolutely fell in love with. I had always been drawn to designing, building, and being creative from a young age, so these classes peaked my interest. After dipping my toe into the water of all that engineering has to offer, I knew this field was the one for me.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
I am part of the softball team here at Lehigh, and I was a member of the Flight 45 program, Student Athlete Council, for the last two semesters. I will also be involved in research this upcoming summer with Professor Haden which I am super excited about!
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
During my senior year at North Penn High School, I took a class called Engineering Design and Development in which my teacher, Mr. Boyer, exposed me to engineering research for the first time. I developed such a passion for research after he opened that door for me and guided me through it, but most importantly because he let me fail and learn from my mistakes. He taught me to view failure as a stepping stone, not a setback, which is applicable within the field of engineering quite often, but also throughout all aspects of life. He is absolutely a mentor that I cannot be more grateful for.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I hope to find a company that allows me to explore my passions and grow as an engineer. Some areas that have peaked my interest are designing prosthetics and potentially aircrafts. I have a lot of decisions to make between now and then including whether or not I attend graduate school, but ultimately, I just want to be surrounded by others who want to push themselves to reach greatness.
Name: William Gregory
Education: Mechanical Engineering
Where are you from? Greensboro, North Carolina
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part about being a Lehigh Engineer is having access to the immense resources and technology that the University provides.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
I first got interested in mechanical engineering through playing with Legos as a kid and was fascinated by designing different creations.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
I am a TA for ENGR 010, a Gryphon for Brodhead House, and I am in the Mountain Biking Club.
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
I believe that the person who has had the most impact on where I am today is my elementary school science teacher, Mr. Moore. He made such an impact because he made learning fun and put so much enthusiasm into his work, which I believe catapulted me into a career in STEM.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, likely with a focus on transportation.