While pursuing a challenging Engineering Physics/Materials Science major, fourth-year student Lauren Vitti still carves out time for her sorority, the six-year old Theta chapter of Phi Sigma Rho, a national engineering women’s social organization. At the UConn campus, Phi Sigma Rho affords female engineering students an academic and social support network that strengthens their sense of community within the traditionally male-dominated engineering discipline. Besides academic and social activities, the organization also involves a service component, and in 2003 the Theta members sponsored and hosted 500 Girl Scouts who visited campus for a series of introductory engineering workshops. Lauren has held various leadership positions in the organization while juggling her academic challenges. Lauren’s brief profile appears below:
Major: Engineering Physics – Materials Science & Engineering
Year: Senior, expected graduation Spring ’08
High School: Darien High School
What attracted you to UConn?
“I was drawn to UConn because of its size and strong academics. Being such a large university, UConn has many options available to its students, from academics and extracurricular activities to cultural experience through diversity of the student body.”
Impressions:
“I came to UConn with no idea what I wanted to do, but with a little help from Dean Wood [Marty Wood, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education] I was soon enrolled in a unique degree program which allows me to study Physics and Engineering simultaneously. I have since fallen in love with the positive challenge this has provided me and the exciting possible career paths I am being prepared for.”
What’s next?
“After I finish my undergraduate degrees, I plan to attend graduate school, most likely for Material Science & Engineering. Afterwards I would like to pursue a career involving electronic and optical properties of materials.”
Beyond academics
“My main extracurricular focus goes to my sorority, Phi Sigma Rho, the women-in-engineering social sorority here on campus. Joining it has been one of the best decisions of my undergraduate career. I have held various positions over the years, from Secretary to Recruitment Chair to President for this upcoming year. My involvement in this organization has allowed me to practice leadership and time management skills all while maintaining a good balance between academics and social activities.”
