MEP Welcome Committee

Hello! My name is Adora and I am majoring in Aerospace Engineering. A fun fact about me is that I have short term memory loss! A fun fact about me is that I have short term memory loss!

Hey y'all! My name is Adrian Marquez, and I am a senior studying Mechanical Engineering. On campus, I am heavily involved in both MEP and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). I chose Illinois because of its rigorous curriculum that will set me up for success anywhere I go.

Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Oliver and I am senior Bioengineering major on the track and field team. I and involved in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the National Society of Black Engineers. In my free time I like to play golf and spend time with my family!!

Hey everybody! My name is Donllen Cooke and I'm junior in Mechanical Engineering! I am a former lacrosse captain of which I played for 6 years and manage to break a bone. I enjoy the stars and the moon more so than almost anything else. Finally, I believe that with mechanical engineering I can have a real and broad impact on the world.

Hello! My name is Elaina Gipson and I am currently a sophomore studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. I am involved in Sustainable Solutions, Engineers in Action- Bridge program, EMBRACE, and NSBE this semester and I enjoy volunteering on campus as well. I hope to one day become a structural engineer!

Hi! I'm a sophomore in Computer Science from Waukegan, IL. My involvements around campus include Black, Indigenous, Latinos in Tech, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and CS Student Ambassador Research Scholars. I chose UIUC because of the strong engineering program and the encouraging community within MEP.

Hello! My name is Emma Anderson, from Vernon Hills, IL, and I am currently a junior in Chemical Engineering at U of I. My involvements on campus include being the Marketing Chair of the National Society of Black Engineers, a member of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, the Track and Field Club, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In my free time I enjoy running, reading, and cooking with friends. I look forward to meeting you all and keeping in contact throughout next semester!

My name is Gerardo Paramo, but most people call me Gerry! I am currently a senior in Bioengineering on the therapeutics track and I am also pursuing a minor in Chemistry. Outside of my classes, I am an SI for Organic Chemistry, a CA for BIOE courses, and a researcher in the Sirk Lab. When I'm not doing something academic, you can either find me at the ARC, cooking/baking, or playing rugby.

Hi, my name is Isaiah, and I'm a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On campus, I'm involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) as Internal Vice President, a volunteer at MechSE MakerWorks Club, and a member of both Grainger's and MechSE's DEI committees. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, watching anime, playing/listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

Hello, I'm Kamila Castillo, and I'm a junior studying Environmental Engineering. On campus I'm involved with (SHPE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. For fun I enjoy reading, adult coloring books, and hiking.

Hello! My name is Landon Lindsay and I am a junior in Mechanical Engineering. I love to create music, whether that is playing the piano or working in FL studio. I also spend a lot of my time playing volleyball, worshiping with the InterVarsity community on campus, and working within the National Society of Black Engineers to create professional opportunities for minorities.

Hi! I'm Lesley, and I am a junior studying Mechanical Engineering. Outside of academics I am involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers along with ARISE, I am also involved in Off- the-road Illini(BAJA SAE), and TRIO SSS. During my free time I like to play soccer, workout and hangout with friends.

Hi! My name is Montse and I’m a sophomore pursuing Computer Science. I’m involved in the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) and Black, Indigenous, Latinos in Tech (B[U]ILT). I’m a very social person who loves the color pink and everything Hello Kitty, so feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!

Hello! My name is Santiago Leyva and I'm a senior studying Mechanical Engineering. I'm an executive board member for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and I'm also a part of a research group on campus that does additive manufacturing in space applications. I am a student that transferred from civil to mechanical engineering, so if you have any questions about either of the two, feel free to reach out! In my free time, I like to watch movies, dine out, and play sports.

Hi, my name is Sophia! I am a senior in Bioengineering with a minor Computer Science. On campus, I am a VP for the National Society of Black Engineers and a CARE tutor. I love long runs, books, music, movies, volunteer work, time with friends, and coffee! I am very grateful to MEP and the community it has helped me establish here at UIUC, and I am eager to share it with you :)