Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Sustainability Leadership
Hometown: Fairview, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: S-STEM Leaders Scholarship, Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship, Nelson Grode Memorial Scholarship, Edward and Barbara F. Junker Scholarship.
On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I could pursue both an engineering degree at a top engineering school and continue playing water polo.
On choosing her major: I chose Mechanical Engineering because it is one of the broadest, most versatile engineering majors that can allow you to work in any industry. I plan to use my ME major, combined with my Sustainability Leadership minor, to have a career in the energy industry.
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am proud to be graduating with a variety of experiences including performing research for my Sustainability Leadership minor, interning at both National Fuel Gas Company and General Electric Gas and Power, and completing my capstone senior design project.
Campus involvement: I am Captain of the Women’s Water Polo Team, Vice President of Behrend Engineering Ambassadors; Corresponding Secretary of Tau Beta Pi Engineering National Honor Society; Mentor and member of the NSF S-STEM Leaders Program; and a member of Behrend Honors Program, Lambda Sigma National Honor Society, and Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.
Awards and recognitions: ACWPC (Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches) Women’s Water Polo All-Academic Team four times, President’s Freshman Award for Behrend.
Advice for first-year students: College goes by fast, so get involved and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
Olivia will be working at Hatch Ltd in Pittsburgh as a mechanical engineer.