Hi! My name is Mackenzie Hall, and I’m a second-year Civil Engineering major at UCF. I graduated from West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, but my hometown is Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Adjusting to such a big campus was definitely a change at first, but it has been an exciting and rewarding experience so far. Some of my favorite classes at UCF have been Calculus 2 and now Statics. I really enjoy courses that involve math and physics because I love problem-solving and the feeling of working through a challenge until everything clicks. One of my favorite professors has been my Statics professor, Dr. Zaurin. His class has not only challenged me academically but also pushed me to grow as a student. He truly cares about his students and encourages us to become the best versions of ourselves, which has made a huge impact on my college experience. I decided to get involved with the GEMS program because I love being part of a supportive and uplifting community of women, especially while transitioning into college. Having that sense of connection and encouragement is so important, and I hope to both continue growing myself and help mentees feel welcomed, supported, and confident in their own journeys. One piece of advice I would give to incoming students is to talk to anyone and everyone! UCF is a big campus, but the more people you meet, the smaller it starts to feel. Even small interactions can turn into meaningful connections. For example, I once randomly talked to a professor and later ended up having him the next semester, so I had already built a positive relationship without even realizing it! Moments like that really show how valuable it is to put yourself out there. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, listening to music, reading, and dancing. I love being social and making new connections, whether that’s hanging out on campus or just enjoying a good conversation. Being involved both academically and socially has made my college experience so much more fulfilling, and I’m excited to continue growing and helping others do the same!