3 minute read
Student Briefs
InVESTED in Students’ Futures
Student and faculty volunteers gathered this spring with Stephen Jones, EdD (above, center), associate dean for Student Success, during a Saturday session of the Villanova Engineering, Science and Technology Enrichment and Development (VESTED) Academy. The seven-week STEM outreach program, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, brings students from local high schools to Villanova’s campus for an in-depth engineering experience, as well as college preparation classes, team-building opportunities and discussions with industry mentors about engineering careers.
Tau Beta Pi Scholars
Two Villanova Engineering students were selected as Tau Beta Pi Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year. Recipients of this prestigious designation from the national engineering honor society are selected based on their academic excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities and pledge to make significant contributions in the engineering field.
Kathryn Ix ’25 CpE served as president of the Villanova chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, co-president of the College’s Engineering PEERS program and a member of the Society of Women Engineers. She aims to build a career in the health care technology industry.
Troy White ’25 CE served as president of Villanova’s chapter of Tau Beta Pi, development chair for VU Blue Key and an Orientation counselor for new students. As a Civil Engineering major with minors in Studio Art and Real Estate Development, White hopes to combine his artistic passions with his technical experience to work at the intersection of architecture and structural design.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Karlee Koswick ’20 ME (above) faced a lifealtering event when she was injured by gun violence as an innocent bystander on July 14, 2023, while residing in Fargo, N.D. On the first anniversary of the incident, the Fargo Police Department honored her bravery and resilience by awarding her an honorary Purple Heart.
Koswick’s hardship led her to seek comfort and strength in a place that had always felt like home: Villanova University. Embracing the familiar surroundings, she returned to pursue her PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Reflecting on her decision to come back to Villanova, Koswick said, “After going through something horrible, you kind of just want to go home. And Villanova is home.”
Excellence in Hydrology
Mohamed Said ’25 PhD, a doctoral student and research assistant for the Villanova Center for Resilient Water Systems, was named the 2025 recipient of the Paul F. Boulos Excellence in Computational Hydraulics/Hydrology Award. The award is presented annually by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, in conjunction with the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors and the Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation.
