WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Congratulations to Emily Calandrelli! Officially 100th woman in space, astronaut, and proud WVU Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering alumna!! So amazing to watch and a big moment for West Virginia! Congratulations!! (Photo with Emily from a summer 2022 WV STEM outreach event that in which she was the keynote)

Much needed, but long post incoming! On November 9th of 2024, I finished my final recruitment event for WVU & the Statler College as a student. Back in September of 2021, I joined the student ambassador program for the WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Originally, I applied to become more involved in the engineering and computer science programs here at West Virginia University. I instantly fell in love with the ambassador team and the amazing events we helped out with whether prospective student recruitment or K-12 outreach. Cate Schlobohm and James Sigler helped put me on a path for success, and I owe where I am today to them choosing me. As my major was becoming and more demanding of my time and challenging, I wanted a part time job on campus that was closer to my academic studies. Sure enough, an undergraduate in Statler's current Office of Outreach & Recruitment was available. Having already worked with the office as an amabassador made applying to the job a no-brainer, and I was fortunate to have been hired. Ever since then, I have doubled as a student worker for Statler's Office of Outreach & Recruitment while maintaining my position as a Statler College Ambassador. In becoming part of the office's staff, I have loved helping to contribute to the behind the scenes of putting on the various recruitment and outreach events Statler helps to put on. After my first semester working part-time in the office, we hired two additional full-time positions: Julie Gruber and Norman Mihelic. By having Julie's love for STEM as a previous elementary & middle school science teacher and Norm's genuine curiosity for STEM & wanting to help students find their career passions, our office grew in so many capacities. Their dedication to the students working in their office, the general student population at Statler, and the prospective students they are recruiting doesn't go a day unnoticed. Both of them have been beacons of constant support that I always look forward to throughout my hours in the office. During my time in the office, I have made lifelong friendships with the undergraduate and graduate students I have worked with side-by-side on all of our events: Joseph Thompson, Abby Baker, Benjamin Opie, and Alyssa Koskinen, MPA. These people have changed my entire academic career, and I am so proud to call all of them some of my greatest friends. While some have graduated, beginning to pursue their full-time professions and some are still finishing out their academic careers, I know I can always rely on our memories and group chats to provide a good laugh. While my time at WVU and the Statler College is slowly coming to a close, I know that my experience has been forever shaped by working in this office, creating memories that will last a lifetime, and finding the best support system for the last three and a half years. I love this office, WVU, and Statler! I cannot wait to come back as an alumni one day!💙💛🫶⚙️🚀