Hello! My name is Melania Carrigan, and I’m a Civil Engineering major entering my third year at UCF. I love going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and playing pickleball! I graduated from Creekside High School in Saint Johns, Florida, in 2023. One of my favorite classes at UCF so far has been the Intro to Engineering Lab course. I really enjoyed this class because it allowed me to collaborate with others on a semester-long project. Another highlight of my time at UCF has been taking ENC 1102 with Professor Emily LaPadura in Fall 2023. She made the course feel effortless by creating meaningful connections with her students and providing individualized support, which is why she’s one of my favorite professors. 

Being part of the GEMS program has been an incredible experience for me. Since engineering is a male-dominated field, it can be difficult to find other women with similar studies and interests. Through GEMS, I was able to connect with like-minded girls who shared similar challenges in making female friends within the major. Another great aspect of GEMS is that your mentor group often includes students taking the same classes, so you always have familiar faces in your lectures—which makes the experience even better!