CECS Student Ambassadors
Allison Anders
Hi! My name is Allison Anders, and I am studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. I grew up in Ooltewah, Tennessee, and started my engineering endeavors at a private school close to home. But when it came time to move on to bigger and better things, I decided to follow my father's footsteps as he is a UTC Engineering alumnus. I have him to thank for piquing my interest in the field of engineering.
From a young age, I've gone to engineering conferences all over the world with him, even as far as South Africa. Let me just say 15 hour flights aren't fun. But when the jetlag finally subsided, I was privileged to see just what a difference engineering can make. Seeing the electricity crisis and then hearing the solutions provided by different engineers instilled me with a passion to someday make a contribution to this profession. Right now I'm working towards understanding in what way I want to make my contribution, yet I know engineering will allow me to have a wide range of opportunities. I am thankful to all the people who have helped me reach this point in my education, and I look forward to helping others reach their goals!
Jose Bueno
Hello, my name is Jose Bueno and I’m from Chattanooga, TN. I’m currently a senior and studying mechanical engineering. My interest in engineering started at a very young age for me. My passion for cars sparked a curiosity in me that I’ve been living with till this day. In the classroom I’ve learned many different theories of how things work and relate it to real life. That helps me always stay vivid and hold on the information forever. With my degree I’ve been exposed to the widest variety of topics for which I am thankful. I hope to continue to study and gain employment post-graduation in energy transfer.
Alissa Coleman
Hello, my name is Alissa Coleman and I am a Senior majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Mathematics. I am from Central Florida and have lived in the Chattanooga area for 13 years. Being a CECS student means working hard and being willing to sacrifice for a well invested future. My sacrifices have influenced me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in EE and continue with a Master’s degree in aerospace design.
My father was one of the first 3 pilots chosen to fly for UPS when the company began, so he instilled a strong passion for aerospace technology in me. I have already had many technical opportunities here at UTC such as interning at TVA and as being the current Vice President of 2D-3D Printing group on campus. I have also gotten the opportunity to live in Japan for one academic school year to learn Japanese as a business language.
Through these experiences, I have learned that diversity and a willingness to learn new and unconventional means of accomplishing your goals is key to becoming a well rounded and educated individual. After graduation, it is my desire to find a career working with 3D metal printing for companies like Aerotech and Boeing or working with integrated SDR systems.
Michael Coleman
Hello, my name is Michael Coleman and I am a senior in Chemical Engineering. I am from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and I have wanted to be an engineer since middle school and my high school curriculum reinforced my decision to be an engineer.
UTC has provided many opportunities for me to grow in my professional and academic career. I was able to use what I have learned inside the classroom to obtain internships. These experiences along with classroom knowledge has been beneficial. I have also been able to pursue a passion in research and it has allowed me to refine what I want to do in my career. The CECS program has allowed me to network with students and professors alike to work together and achieve more.
Nate Dimond
I am from a small town in Illinois (population under 3,000 people when I graduated high school) and joined the Army right after graduation. I worked in a Psychological Operations Group for my two years active duty and then did four years reserve in a Drill Sergeant unit. While in the Army Reserves I was also attending college and working full time in pursuit of a degree in optometry but eventually realized that optometry was not what I was looking for as my career. I still liked the problem solving aspect and found it easy to apply this to engineering. I am currently a manufacturing services intern and will be completing my BAS in Mechatronics in May of 2020. I hope to use my degree to be the first employee with a BAS in Mechatronics at a company hopefully located in Chattanooga or the surrounding area.
Jordan Fryer
Hello, my name is Jordan Fryer, and I am a senior construction management major from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. My family goes back 5 generations of construction managers, so I have always been around the industry.
I started in the industry as a laborer and heavy equipment operator. Throughout my time at UTC, I have had the opportunity to work as a project estimator and a project engineer. I have experience in both public and private sectors. My areas of expertise include heavy commercial, mechanical, and heavy civil construction. I have had the opportunity to work on incredible projects such as the $1.2 billion Nashville International Airport (BNA) expansion, which is still an ongoing project.
Upon graduation, I hope to work as a project engineer and develop into a project manager for a Design-Build general contractor. I am currently a Chattanooga area Young Life leader, a member of BYX fraternity, and the acting president of AGCof UTC.
Reagan Hart
My name is Reagan Hart. I’m a second-year civil engineering student from Knoxville, Tennessee. When I graduated high school, I had no idea which major to choose. I had participated in robotics in high school and most of my friends on the team had decided on engineering. I never saw myself as an engineer, so I marked ‘undecided’ on my college applications.
I spent the summer between high school and college as the nature instructor for a day camp. This required me to design lesson plans relating to nature and its resources. During this time, I decided I wanted to have a career where I could work to protect the earth and its resources. The research for an educational path began.
After reading about environmental engineering, I was sold! I chose to pursue a civil engineering degree and environmental science minor. I believe it's going to prepare me best to work within my areas of interest.
I have a little bit of ‘save the world’ in me. I think everyone here does. It doesn't matter what you study, by being here and bettering yourself, you will have a positive impact on the world as a whole. Keep it up!
Abigail Lee
My name is Abigail Lee and I’m from a city in northeast Tennessee called Kingsport. I grew up in town heavily influenced by engineers and scientists. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do with my life it ultimately came down to my biggest influence, engineering. Engineers help people every single day of someone’s life and I wanted to be apart of the change. I decided on chemical engineering because of how versatile it is and the numerous things it can be used for.I hope to use my degree to work at either a pharmaceutical company or help the country become more environmentally friendly. I would love to stay local in Chattanooga because it’s such a great city and could use even more help to become less of a burden on the environment.
Meeya Lowery
My name is Meeya Lowery and I am from Knoxville, TN. I am a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering. My interest in engineering began in high school when I became a part of the STEM Academy at Hardin Valley Academy. Throughout high school I had the opportunity to take classes which involved working to solve problems and developing solutions for them. I learned that I am good at bringing my ideas to life, being creative and bringing pieces together to make something great. I have not decided what my plans are for the future, but I know I want to make a positive impact on people's lives. Becoming a Mechanical Engineer gives me the opportunity to design and create products to improve the quality of people’s lives in my community and all over the world.
Lauren Meyer
Hello, my name is Lauren Meyer, and I am a sophomore studying mechanical engineering. I am from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and graduated from Siegel High School. Throughout high school, my focus was business with a concentration in marketing. By reflecting on my goals and aspirations for my future I knew that continuing my study of business was not the correct path for me. I have always had a love for math and science and a curiosity of the world around me and how things work. My two older brothers have graduated with engineering tech degrees, and during their studies, I was fascinated with what they were learning and the classes they were taking. By talking with my brothers, I was able to find my passion for engineering. After graduating with my degree in mechanical engineering, I hope to continue my education with a master’s program studying aerospace engineering. With a master`s degree in aerospace, I hope to work for a company like Cessna, Boeing, or NASA. Through the many opportunities that UTC has to offer, I know that I will gain the skills and knowledge that I need to succeed.
Chuck Priputin
40 years ago, I started a Computer Science degree. My parents and the military taught me to always finish what I start, so here I am. I like to help people and cyber-security helps people protect their businesses, their information, and their systems. By helping others, we also help ourselves. We all need to remember that, especially those who can't help themselves.
Christian Sawyer
My name is Christian Sawyer, and I am from Ringgold, Georgia. I graduated from Heritage High School. I am starting my fourth semester at UTC and am beginning my junior year as a civil engineering student with a concentration in environmental engineering. I would like to graduate in four years from UTC and then obtain Master’s degree soon afterwards. Once I graduate, my goal is to find meaningful work. I want to do work that has an impact on the world that I will be able to see and feel. Being here at UTC has been great for me because it is in a wonderful city and everyone extends an invitation to become involved. There is not ever a dull moment, which is a great thing in college. I have no idea where I will end up after college but I know that UTC and Chattanooga will always be home.
Erin Watson
I’m from Whitwell, Tennessee, and my family has lived there for the past 20 years. We’re right on the river in the middle of a Wildlife Management area, about forty-five minutes from Chattanooga. It’s a bit of a long commute, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything; I love living in the country.
Since I was about 4 years old, I’ve been curious about how things work. Anytime I was unsupervised I would take things apart and see if I could put it back together before my parents noticed. Of course, they caught me most of the time. I moved on to drawing up blueprints and building my own creations. My parents encouraged me to pursue engineering and my dad let me help him remodel our house. I even spent the summer after high school working with a contractor building custom metal light fixtures. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by people who support my interests and encourage me to pursue my goals.
I’m studying Mechatronics Technology here at UTC and I hope to use my degree in a research and design department for a manufacturing company.