OUTSTANDING SENIOR: Laura Malcotti-Sanchez

Being an outstanding student is familiar territory for Laura Malcotti-Sanchez. She was named the Outstanding Junior in 2019, and for good reason. She has an impressive list of accomplishments from her time at the Cullen College, ranging from interning at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to serving as a mentor in both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Pros Mentorship programs.

Malcotti-Sanchez describes her internship at HPE as a turning point in her academic career. Initially unsure of what role a mechanical engineer would play at HPE, the experience introduced her to the field of thermal engineering. “It turned out there was this huge world that I didn’t even know about that’s dedicated to keeping computers cool and from overheating. It’s a huge challenge,” she explained. “After I finish my bachelor’s, I’m going to enter the accelerated master’s program here with a focus on thermal engineering. That’s where my passion is at right now.”

In addition, Malcotti-Sanchez was selected to be the recipient of the Cynthia Oliver Coleman P.E. (’71) Rising Star Award. Malcotti-Sanchez received the award at the Women in Engineering Celebration. The opportunity to meet Coleman, for whom the award is named, was an exciting experience. Coleman, who is an active supporter and alumna of the Cullen College, serves as a sponsor of the SWE Mentorship program. “She’s an inspiration. It’s really great when alumni come to the college and give back.”

When reflecting on her time at UH, Malcotti-Sanchez feels that the positive environment is what stands out from her experiences. “I originally chose to come to UH Engineering because I had this overwhelming feeling that everyone here genuinely wants you to be successful. I wanted to be in an environment like that.”

According to Malcotti-Sanchez, the support she has received from her professors has also been a huge perk. “The professors here are so compassionate, and they go out of their way to make sure you are successful,” she explained. “The professors are hands down the best part of being a student here because they care. And that makes a huge difference.”

When asked if she had any advice to give to other students, Malcotti-Sanchez had some wise words to share. “Pursue knowledge not for the sake of getting an ‘A’, but for the purpose of being a good engineer. Right now, there is no consequence if you mess up or do something wrong, so this is the time to try things and learn.”