Students

Engineering double major and student leader of the year

Jeff Zehnder — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:20:36 +0000

Engineering double major and student leader of the year Jeff Zehnder Tue, 05/06/2025 - 09:20

Jeff Zehnder

Pore (right) being recognized as the Boettcher Student Leader of the Year.

Aaditya Pore is an engineering senior double majoring in aerospace and computer science. He is an extremely active student, serving as senior class president, competing in the Daniels Fund National Ethics Case Competition and earning the 2025 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year award.

As he prepares to graduate, he reflects on his time at 91�Թ�� and how he juggles all of his classes and extracurricular activities:

What does it mean to you to be recognized as Boettcher Student Leader of the Year?

Gaining this recognition is such an amazing culminating achievement for my time at CU. Majoring in engineering, leadership isn’t always directed as a focus, and there’s not as much representation of engineers in campus wide leadership. Having had the chance to not participate in shared governance at CU but also make a meaningful contribution to bettering campus has been an opportunity I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Most importantly, being able to have gained support from my community, inside and outside of the College of Engineering, has enabled me to reach this point. I see this accomplishment as a tribute to those who contributed so much to me during my journey – advisors, professors, mentors, friends, and family.

You are a double major in aerospace and computer science and are the Senior Class Council President. When do you sleep?

Whether it was being involved in CU Student Government as the Legislative Council President, the President’s Leadership Class as their Professional Development Coordinator, CU Milana as a member of the dance team, or the Senior Class Council as President, my involvements have indubitably been the most important part of my time in Boulder.

I’ve found that when you value something, you can find time to prioritize it, regardless of how busy your schedule gets. Of course, this comes with sacrifices. There were many days where I stay up far too late to do homework, missing out on fun memories with friends or adequate sleep to prepare myself for the next day. But, those were all costs I was willing to take, and steps towards the balance I desired in my life.

My goal with an optimal balance was always one of playing roughly just as hard as I worked. Sleep wasn’t always on that priority list, and often got overlooked. Thought, I look back at my time over the last four years and feel content: with the memories I made, the impact I had, and the great experiences I’ll remember moving forward.

What drew you to engineering as opposed to another field of study?

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to work on rocket ships. Something about the mystery of the night sky always drew my interest. When I was in kindergarten, we had an assignment to make a poster about ourselves – our family, our hobbies, etc. There was a section about what we wanted to be when we grew up, and I still remember writing ‘NASA Scientist’ in the box.

Thankfully, through the Pathways program at NASA, that dream has come true, and it is in large part because of the Aero program at CU. The quality and ranking of Smead Aerospace brought me here from Kansas, and wanting to be at the forefront of integrating software and hardware development led me to take on CS as well.

I’ve dabbled in other programs in my time at CU: Political Science, Leadership Studies, and more; but engineering has always felt like home. Being able to solve the complex problems we do in the manner we’re enabled to is an experience that’s hard to get anywhere else, and I’m forever grateful for my decision to follow this path.

As class president, you will be speaking at commencement. Few students have the opportunity to address the entire student body. What do you hope to share?

I hope my speech is a source of motivation for those that come after me. In today’s political climate, effective leadership is more important than ever. Not just in a political space, necessarily, but even in our day-to-day: in our workplaces, our communities, even our homes.

Being a leader isn’t just about making large scale change and solving world peace; rather, being a good leader can just mean being the person that puts a smile on everyone’s face every day; being a source of support for a community; or, just doing the right thing whenever you can.

I aspire for my success and words to show other students on campus that anyone can be a leader, and in the face of the division and polarization that we see in our society today, it is imperative that we all – regardless of background - step up and play a role in leading our community to prosperity. Moreover, coming from an engineering background, I hope it serves as a sign to those who may also be in STEM but aspire to do more on the leadership front. We are all equally equipped to be change makers, it’s just a matter of acting on that potential.

Anyone can make an impact on the world, and the skills that engineering gives you makes that an easier feat to accomplish."

When did you feel like you hit your stride or felt like you were "officially" an engineer.

Two moments stand out to me. The first was actually before I even came to CU. I graduated in 2020, right when COVID started to shut down our communities. A friend and I quickly acted to try and see how we could help our local area, even if we were just high school kids. We quickly made a nonprofit that 3D printed personal protective equipment for healthcare facilities that needed them, and quickly patched a gap in supply chains that would otherwise cripple their services.

Over about two and a half years, we produced and delivered over 8,000 units of PPE to hospitals nationwide, from California to New York. In that moment, even though I hadn’t even started an engineering degree yet, I learned that anyone can make an impact on the world, and the skills that engineering gives you makes that an easier feat to accomplish. It validated that engineering was the right path for me, and I’ve been on it ever since.

The second would be when I started working at NASA. I’ve done two rotations there now, and each and every one has been one of the most professionally motivating experiences I’ve ever had. Being able to see the knowledge I’ve gained from my classes being put to work to pushing society’s frontier in space has been eye opening, and I can’t wait to continue to grow on my journey in my further work.

A project I worked on during my first internship at NASA is going to the ISS soon, and I’m so excited to see what accomplishments come next.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?

By far my most proud accomplishment so far has been helping three other students, two from CU, get into the NASA Pathways program. I’m a firm believer that our legacy is defined not by what we accomplish, but rather, by what we helps others achieve.

My mom always instilled in me the value of giving back to your community, even when it may feel inconvenient, and I’m glad to have acted to have acted on that advice.

My greatest memories at CU will not be tied to things I did, but those that I worked with, made smile, helped succeed, and built long lasting relationships with.

I look forward to continuing to help facilitate the growth of those that come after me in any way possible as I progress through my professional and personal journey. I implore others to try it out, as well. Mentorship is an unbelievably rewarding journey, for yourself, and for those that you help.

Aaditya Pore is an engineering senior double majoring in aerospace and computer science. He is an extremely active student, serving as senior class president, competing in the...

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Aaditya Pore at Machu Picchu.

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91�Թ��’s concrete canoe team places third overall

Susan Glairon — Thu, 01 May 2025 21:44:05 +0000

91�Թ��’s concrete canoe team places third overall Susan Glairon Thu, 05/01/2025 - 15:44

Susan Glairon

91�Թ��’s Concrete Canoe team earned third place overall at the regional ASCE Rocky Mountain Student Symposium. The popular student group—known for designing and racing a concrete canoe each year—continues to grow, with 28 91�Թ�� students participating in this year’s event.

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How Hermann Klein-Hessling Barrientos built opportunity from adversity

Susan Glairon — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 15:27:27 +0000

How Hermann Klein-Hessling Barrientos built opportunity from adversity Susan Glairon Wed, 04/30/2025 - 09:27

Susan Glairon

Hermann Klein-Hessling Barrientos faced challenges with housing, medical and food insecurity, yet overcame them to earn the College of Engineering and Applied Science Perseverance Award as well as the college’s Outstanding Undergraduate Award.

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91�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team takes home first place

Susan Glairon — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:19:38 +0000

91�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team takes home first place Susan Glairon Tue, 04/22/2025 - 12:19

Susan Glairon

91�Թ�� took home first place in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Chem-E-Car competition, securing 91�Թ�� a spot at the national AIChE competition in Boston this November.

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Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students

Michelle Wiese — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:45:18 +0000

Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students Michelle Wiese Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:45

On Friday, April 25 at the 91�Թ��, engineering students will present their capstone design projects at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. This year's event will feature projects from mechanical engineering; computer science; electrical, computer and energy engineering; biomedical engineering; and civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

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Students' building designs to be presented at Expo

Susan Glairon — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:10:12 +0000

Students' building designs to be presented at Expo Susan Glairon Tue, 04/15/2025 - 10:10

Susan Glairon

Seven teams from 91�Թ��'s architectural engineering capstone class will present their building design ideas to the public at the university's Engineering Projects Expo 2025. Each team designed a 20,000-square-foot student support building for the Business Field on the university's main campus.

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Research program sparks student’s transfer to 91�Թ��

Susan Glairon — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 23:51:32 +0000

Research program sparks student’s transfer to 91�Թ�� Susan Glairon Mon, 02/17/2025 - 16:51

Susan Glairon

After a summer in 91�Թ��’s Young Scholars Summer Research Program (YSSRP), Kate Lamb was inspired to change her path, transferring from community college to 91�Թ��’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering as a biological engineering major.

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NSBE helps CU Engineering student land internship at Medtronic

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:58:53 +0000

NSBE helps CU Engineering student land internship at Medtronic Charles Ferrer Mon, 02/10/2025 - 10:58

Charles Ferrer

Nathan Mahary is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering Department. He interned at Medtronic, a global medical device company, and has been heavily involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) during his time at 91�Թ��.

Medtronic treats about 70 health conditions and their technologies include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools and patient monitoring systems.

Nathan Mahary interns at Medtronic, a global medical device company, with their surgical operations software team.

How did you first get interested in electrical & computer engineering?

Growing up, I loved playing with electronics either if it was taking apart RC cars and helicopters and putting them back together. That curiosity naturally led me to engineering. I joined a robotics program in high school, which helped me realize how much I enjoyed the combination of electrical and software engineering. When I started college, I initially entered as an open engineering major to explore my options, but inevitably knew I’d end up in electrical and computer engineering. I just love how the two fields complemented each other, allowing me to work in both hardware and software.

How did you find out about the internship with Medtronic?

Through NSBE, we had a connection with Medtronic. Medtronic invited NSBE members to visit their facility, and they asked for resumes for anyone interested in learning about their career opportunities. I submitted mine and then received an email inviting me to an interview. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity to learn about Medtronic without NSBE.

What was it like knowing that NSBE played a role in securing your internship?

It was surreal. Glory to God! Our goal in collaborating with Medtronic was to open up opportunities for NSBE members. When they mentioned internship opportunities, I figured I had nothing to lose by submitting my resume. Medtronic was an opportunity to work in an area that had matched my skill set and gave me an opportunity to strengthen those skills.

What kind of projects did you work on during your internship?

My role was primarily in software engineering. I developed a testing application for the surgical operations software team using a programming language of my choice. I wasn’t very strong in Python at that time, so my mentor encouraged me to work on that and by the end of the summer, I had significantly improved my coding skills. It was an eye-opening experience because I never saw myself working in the medical field. My true passion has been space technology, but this internship showed me how impactful and rewarding medical technology can be.

Beyond technical skills, what did you learn from the internship?

One major takeaway was learning to work on a larger team. In my school projects, I had worked with at most up to four people. At Medtronic, I was part of a much larger team, and I had to learn how to do my part while integrating my work into a bigger system.

Another incredible aspect was being able to shadow other engineers. Since I have an electrical background, I was honest with them and wanted to explore both software and hardware. One of the managers connected me with a hardware engineer who I got to work with in the lab where I soldered components and learned more about the hardware. That hands-on experience helped me stay connected to my electrical engineering roots.

Nathan Mahary and fellow society members from the 91�Թ�� chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at their 2024 national convention in Atlanta, Ga.

How has NSBE influenced your professional development?

NSBE has played a huge role in my college journey. Before 91�Թ��, my cousin, who was on the NSBE board, encouraged me to attend a meeting. At first, I was only focused on academics—getting good grades and doing well in class. But NSBE introduced me to the professional side of engineering: how to market myself, build a resume and practice for interviews. That changed everything for me.

During my sophomore year I became the media chair and helped promote events to our members. I wanted to give back more to NSBE and thankfully became vice president my junior year, which gave me the platform to help others in the same way NSBE had helped me. Leading NSBE meetings and connecting our members with more opportunities helped grow my leadership tremendously.

What was your experience like at NSBE’s professional conferences?

The NSBE National Convention is an incredible opportunity, and I always encourage students to attend. Over 300 companies and grad schools participate, and the career fair alone is a game-changer. At home, you might apply to two or three jobs a day, but at the conference, you have hundreds of companies right in front of you. It’s one of the best ways for students to land internships and jobs.

What are your post-graduation plans?

I have two major goals. God willing, first, I’m returning to Medtronic in the fall as a software engineer, which is a huge opportunity for me. Second, I’m working with a few other students on a potential startup. My business minor has been incredibly valuable in that process, and I’ve always been passionate about the business side of engineering. I even took an engineering management course this year to sharpen my skills. Whether it’s through Medtronic or this startup, I’m excited about what’s ahead!

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91�Թ�� among top colleges for Indigenous students

Charles Ferrer — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:34:04 +0000

91�Թ�� among top colleges for Indigenous students Charles Ferrer Wed, 11/13/2024 - 13:34

Charles Ferrer

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) has recognized 91�Թ�� as one of the top 200 colleges for Indigenous students in its 2024-2025 national rankings.

91�Թ��'s AISES chapter attends the 2024 national AISES Conference in San Antonio.

AISES, a national organization dedicated to increasing Indigenous representation in STEM fields, evaluated schools based on the strength of their support programs for Native students, as well as undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates.

The AISES chapter at 91�Թ�� serves as a community for Indigenous students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science and across campus, connecting those interested in STEM and supporting them academically and professionally. This recognition reflects 91�Թ��’s commitment to fostering an environment where Indigenous students can thrive in STEM—a commitment embodied by the leaders of its AISES chapter.

Noelle Bagola, the chapter’s treasurer, said her journey with AISES has empowered her professionally and personally.

“Being part of AISES allowed me to grow as a leader,” she said.

Through her involvement, Bagola developed skills in areas she once found challenging, like connecting with professionals at conferences and building strong peer relationships.

“Now, I feel confident communicating with people and stepping up to help others. Becoming a leader has been my biggest accomplishment with AISES.”

For Shellene Redhorse, AISES chapter president and a third-year aerospace engineering student, the chapter’s impact extends beyond 91�Թ��’s campus.

“A lot of what AISES does is about supporting our members and the Indigenous community,” she said. “The Indigenous community at 91�Թ�� may be small, and the STEM students within that community are even more rare, but we are here.”

One of her proudest achievements was taking students to this year’s national AISES conference in San Antonio, where they connected with other Native scientists. Redhorse also highlighted the chapter’s outreach to Indigenous students in Denver, where they host hands-on STEM activities, including rocketry demonstrations at Lake Middle School.

“We’re hoping to inspire middle-schoolers by showing them what a future in STEM could look like,” she said.

“When I was in school, I didn’t think a STEM career was possible for me until I got to work on hands-on projects. I know many Native students don’t have those opportunities, so we’re working to change that.”

Looking forward, AISES aims to establish a more permanent support network for Native students in Denver, opening more pathways into STEM fields.

Indigenous Knowledge and STEM

AISES participated in the 2023 First Nations Launch as the ‘CU Trailblazers’, sweeping first place in all their categories and a grand prize trip to the Kennedy Space Center.

Both Bagola and Redhorse draw from Indigenous knowledge to inform their approach to STEM.

Redhorse, who is of Navajo (Diné) and Chickasaw descent, described how her cultural heritage shapes her engineering perspective.

“In our culture, we observe nature closely—how animals act, how weather patterns shift, even how the stars guide us. Our ancestors used this knowledge for everything from growing crops to building structures,” she said.

Inspired by these traditions, she incorporates Indigenous wisdom into school projects.

“I remember building a small rover in sixth grade based on how a beetle moved away from light. It’s that respect for nature and deep observation that really inspires me.”

Redhorse often reflects on Navajo understandings of stars and space, which she sees as especially relevant to her studies in aerospace. She also appreciates Indigenous approaches to sustainability, noting how Native architecture adapts to harsh climates in environmentally mindful ways.

“Whether it’s the way water moves around structures or how a hogan—a traditional dwelling and ceremonial structure—retains heat, these hold incredible value in my engineering work.”

Bagola, an integrative physiology student and a member of the Navajo (Diné) and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, finds similar connections in her field.

“For us, health is not just physical—it’s about mind, spirit, and experience,” she explained.

“Indigenous medicine, like using sweat lodges, plays an important role in healing. Staying connected with your spirit is essential to being truly healthy.”

Community and Advice for Indigenous STEM Students

“AISES is a really welcoming community for Native students here at CU,” Redhorse said. “It’s a safe space where we can connect, share and rejuvenate. Our meetings are open to anyone, you don’t have to be Native. We welcome anyone who wants to learn about our culture and support us.”

Campus Organizations and Community Resources

Like Bagola, Redhorse also said her involvement with AISES has helped her grow as a leader. Recently, she was invited to welcome the keynote speakers at 91�Թ��’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day plenary event—a role she could not have imagined for herself as a first-year student.

Chantal Baca, academic services manager for the BOLD Center, has served as the AISES faculty advisor for the past academic year. She noted the inclusive community for Indigenous students and credits AISES’ executive student board and members over the last five years.

“The AISES chapter is a remarkable group of student leaders who embody the vision, achievement and STEM student success,” said Baca. “Their membership has made a significant impact in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.”

Student leaders offer heartfelt advice to Indigenous students interested in STEM.

“It’s OK to feel alone sometimes, but find your community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Bagola. “Joining AISES helped me step out of my comfort zone, gain confidence and start reaching out to my professors and others in my field.”

“In engineering, there were five women in a room of 50 students—and being Native added another layer,” said Redhorse. “But, I’d tell anyone in that position: keep going.”

“Our people are resilient, and if you push through and find your community, you’ll thrive.”

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society has recognized 91�Թ�� as a top college for Indigenous students in its 2024-2025 national rankings.

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Engineering physics senior explores radio astronomy through summer research

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:05:06 +0000

Engineering physics senior explores radio astronomy through summer research Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 08/02/2024 - 13:05

Engineering physics senior Angel Hernandez completed a boot camp on radio astronomy at the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia. Now he’s at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program, where he continues to explore the field.

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Students

Engineering double major and student leader of the year

What does it mean to you to be recognized as Boettcher Student Leader of the Year?

You are a double major in aerospace and computer science and are the Senior Class Council President. When do you sleep?

What drew you to engineering as opposed to another field of study?

As class president, you will be speaking at commencement. Few students have the opportunity to address the entire student body. What do you hope to share?

When did you feel like you hit your stride or felt like you were "officially" an engineer.

What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?

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91�Թ���’s concrete canoe team places third overall

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How Hermann Klein-Hessling Barrientos built opportunity from adversity

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91�Թ���'s Chem-E-Car team takes home first place

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Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by CU Engineering students

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Students' building designs to be presented at Expo

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Research program sparks student’s transfer to 91�Թ���

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NSBE helps CU Engineering student land internship at Medtronic

How did you first get interested in electrical & computer engineering?

How did you find out about the internship with Medtronic?

What was it like knowing that NSBE played a role in securing your internship?

What kind of projects did you work on during your internship?

Beyond technical skills, what did you learn from the internship?

How has NSBE influenced your professional development?

What was your experience like at NSBE’s professional conferences?

What are your post-graduation plans?

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91�Թ��� among top colleges for Indigenous students

Indigenous Knowledge and STEM

Community and Advice for Indigenous STEM Students

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Engineering physics senior explores radio astronomy through summer research

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91�Թ��’s concrete canoe team places third overall

91�Թ��'s Chem-E-Car team takes home first place

Research program sparks student’s transfer to 91�Թ��

91�Թ�� among top colleges for Indigenous students