What are the most impactful things you have done over the last three years?
I enjoyed serving as a teaching assistant (TA), tutor, and student liaison, and participating in the Break Through the Tech AI (BTTAI) program.
As a TA and tutor for several classes, including “Calculus I” (MATH 120), “Calculus II” (MATH 121), “Introductory Statistics” (STAT 118), and “Fundamentals of Physics I” (PHYS 114), I helped other students while also deepening my own understanding of these subjects. I have always believed that taking in concepts from lectures is an important part of learning, but the more essential part is being able to explain what I know to someone who is not clear about the concept. I felt especially proud when my students had those “aha” moments and finally understood something that had been unclear before. Those moments made the experience very meaningful to me.
I served on the executive board for CDMS (Computer, Data, and Mathematical Sciences) Liaison, and was a member of the Chemistry and Physics Liaison. Along with my friends in the 3+2 dual-degree engineering program, I helped found the Engineering Liaison.
These leadership experiences were very important in developing my teamwork and communication skills. Now at WashU [Washington University in St. Louis, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in engineering as the second part of the 3+2 program], I serve as one of the executive members of the Racing Team, where more than 80 members collaborate to build a formula race [specifically, a Formula SAE race] car. Every year, we design and build the car from scratch, and bring it to Michigan to race against teams from universities around the world. My experience with the liaison roles made me more confident and effective in working with others. I also really value the sense of community we created, especially in supporting women in STEM.
BTTAI: I will discuss this more momentarily, but in brief, this experience allowed me to explore my interests and gain exposure to working with industry professionals.
What is your major(s) and why did you choose this field of study?
I studied financial mathematics at Simmons and electrical engineering at WashU [Washington University in St. Louis]. I initially chose this path because I was aiming for financial engineering at Columbia University, but over time, I found finance less interesting, while becoming more interested in subjects like physics, math, computer science, and statistics, which ultimately influenced my academic direction.
Why did you choose to enroll in an accelerated degree program?
This program gave me the opportunity to begin at a liberal arts college before transitioning to a larger research university. It allowed me to adjust from a smaller, close-knit learning environment to one that requires more independence and self-directed learning. I have grown a lot in understanding how to “be a college student,” which is very different from my high school experience.
As an international student from Taiwan, I was used to an academic environment that emphasized calculations and problem-solving, but less on critical thinking. Attending a liberal arts school like Simmons helped me strengthen those areas and better prepare me for a larger research university.
Did your course of study entail any internships?
While I did not have a traditional internship, my “Probability” (MATH 338) course connected me to the Break Through Tech AI (BTTAI) program. Assistant Professor Hong Pan invited the program director to speak to our class and introduce the opportunity.
Through this program, I studied the foundations of machine learning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in summer 2024 and completed a project in the fall with industry professionals at Cadence Design Systems. There, I learned how to apply my knowledge to real-world problems and gained experience working in a professional environment.
In spring 2025, the program also provided a mentorship opportunity, where I connected closely with a mentor from Microsoft. We worked on practical career skills, such as developing an elevator pitch. The elevator pitch is useful for practicing how to introduce ourselves, briefly bring up our past experiences, and getting the audience’s attention in one minute, which will help me when preparing for industry job opportunities and describing research projects. The BTTAI program not only taught me machine learning, but also helped me explore my interests and develop skills that will be valuable in my future career.
What was your favorite Simmons course and why?
I enjoyed several classes, but my favorite was “Econometrics” (ECON 393) with Professor Niloufer Sohrabji. It was a challenging course, and I sometimes struggled with the material. However, the research project for the class taught me how to properly conduct academic research. I gained a lot of experience in literature review and technical writing. My project focused on the relationship between income inequality and crime rates, which I found very interesting. This course was both challenging and rewarding, and I learned a great deal from it.
Who was your most influential Simmons professor/mentor and why?
There are many professors who made a strong impact on me, but Professor Donna Beers stands out the most. I had her during my first semester and continued learning from her throughout my three years at Simmons. Her passion for teaching, mathematics, and life in general really shaped part of my growth as a college student.
She also connected me to the Tutoring Center, which led to my experience as a TA. Without her, my time at Simmons would not have been as meaningful. Academically, she prepared me very well in mathematics, which has helped me transition more smoothly to WashU [Washington University in St. Louis].
How has Simmons prepared you for your career path or intended profession?
Through my experiences at Simmons, I was able to explore my academic interests and gain leadership experience. These opportunities have helped me build a strong foundation that continues to support me at WashU [Washington University in St. Louis] and will be valuable in my future career.
How has Simmons taught you to be a leader?
My leadership development largely came from my liaison experiences mentioned earlier. Through these roles, I learned how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and support my peers, all of which have shaped my approach to leadership.
How did you find community at Simmons?
The community at Simmons is very welcoming. Through the 3+2 dual-degree engineering program, I formed especially close connections with others since we shared many of the same classes. My closest friends at Simmons are from this program. We studied together, explored Boston, and supported each other in our extracurricular activities. These shared experiences created a strong and supportive community.
What is your favorite Simmons memory?
There are countless memories that my friends and I created. One of my favorites was cheering for my friend MinhAnh at the Boston Marathon. We also attended her dance performance, enjoyed great food in Back Bay, and later walked back to campus to finish assignments together late at night in the Chemistry-Physics thesis room. Moments like these, both on and off campus, made my time at Simmons very special. I am very grateful for the friendships I built and the experiences we shared.
What advice do you have for current and incoming Simmons students?
Enjoy your time at Simmons and take the opportunity to explore your interests and discover who and what you can become.