Name: Tafui Leggard
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Major: Industrial Engineering
Why did you apply to be a student ambassador?
I applied to be a student ambassador because I want to provide a perspective for engineering students that have academic passions within engineering but extracurricular passions outside of the College.
What advice would you offer to new engineering students?
I would advise new engineering students to focus on the learning experiences and understanding the work done in class. The first two semesters are really the building blocks for your college experience in engineering, establishing your habits from early on will be helpful as you go deeper into your discipline specific coursework.
What do you feel is unique about being a student at UM College of Engineering?
I think what is unique about being a student at UM College of Engineering (CoE) is the cohort that you can form with your fellow first-year engineering students during the first semester. This naturally happens in the introductory engineering course through group work and presentations. It also happens in classes like physics and mathematics during labs.
Describe what you are doing in this position.
In the position, I foresee myself providing insight about the experience of an engineering student at the ‘U’ from both an academic and extracurricular experience.
What did you learn at CoE that has helped you in your position?
The most important think that I learned at CoE that has helped me has been about my major. I didn’t know that industrial engineering existed before my introductory engineering course. This provided me with opportunity to find my major but also want to bring more attention to it in my position as an engineering student ambassador.
Which College student organization stands out to you and why?
CANES Emergency Response Team (CERT) is one of the College student organizations that stands out to me because it provides the opportunity to be a proactive and aware citizen of not only our campus but the world. I think the skills taught in the organization are useful to understand even if CERT is never deployed because it allows us to have a greater appreciation for first responders and understanding of what it takes to rebuild after a catastrophic event.
What do you feel you are getting out of this position?
I feel that I am getting the chance to shed light on the realities of being an engineering major; a lot of times it is seen as a hard major, but it is all about the perspective and it is important to remind yourself of that.
Why has this been a good experience for you?
Though I have yet to fully experience the role of an Engineering Student Ambassador, it has been a good experience for me to learn about the diverse experiences and backgrounds that exist within our colleges and the different reasons for wanting to be engineers.
What did you do during your summer 2019 break?
This summer I completed two internships in sales and theater management. I also volunteered at my high school and an emergency food assistance agency.
