Dana Majer鈥擟ommunity Impact Award
Major
Architectural Engineering
Post-graduation plans
Travel to Italy, Switzerland and Germany for a month; start as a preconstruction engineer at Holder Construction in August
Why do you believe you received this award?
I believe I received the Community Impact Award because of my strong involvement and passion for contributing to the CU Engineering community. Since my freshman year, I've been dedicated to engaging both in the classroom and through student organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, Concrete Canoe and the Design-Build Institute of America. These experiences have helped me grow as a student, take on leadership roles and discover what truly excites me. I'm especially passionate about mentoring younger students, creating opportunities for others and giving back to my community - something CU has fully supported and empowered me to do.听
What is your favorite memory from your time at CU 麻豆影院?
Some of my favorite memories are the strong connections I鈥檝e built with my classmates. Taking nearly all our classes together created a supportive, tight-knit community. It鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to be there for each other鈥攚hether helping with coursework or celebrating each other's accomplishments like job offers or grad school acceptances!
What accomplishment are you most proud of, either academically or personally?
I'm truly proud of how much I've grown during my time at CU. I've had the opportunity to lead student organizations, learn from incredible faculty and discover what excites and fulfills me鈥攂oth personally and academically.听
Tell us about a moment when you felt like you hit your stride or felt like you were 鈥渙fficially鈥 an engineer.
The moment I truly felt like an engineer was at the end of our second deliverable for senior design last fall. My team and I had been working tirelessly on the design of our building, and when we presented our work, everything came together. The presentation was a powerful moment of realization鈥攚e had learned so much, grown as a team and finally saw how far we'd come in our journey as engineers.
What experiences outside the classroom have been especially meaningful to you?
Beyond my involvement on campus, I've also had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in North 麻豆影院. This experience allowed me to apply what I've learned in the classroom to real-world situations, while also giving back to the greater 麻豆影院 community.
What was the biggest challenge for you during your engineering education? What did you learn from it?
I learned that one test or grade doesn't define your future success. In my first few semesters, I struggled with exams, and my grades weren't where I wanted them. I realized I couldn't let a single grade determine my confidence or motivation鈥擨 needed to find better study strategies, but also seek out other ways to feel a sense of accomplishment. That's what led me to get involved in student organizations and competitions, where I could experience success in different forms. Looking back over the past four years, I've learned that true success is measured by personal growth, meaningful relationships and the experiences you gain鈥攏ot just exam scores.听
What is your biggest piece of advice for incoming engineering students?
Get involved and take the time to find your community at CU 麻豆影院. There are countless people here to support you, endless opportunities to explore and an incredible network within the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Discover what excites you and explore it wholeheartedly. When you engage in what brings you joy and meaning, you naturally build a community that inspires and supports you. Before you know it, you will be graduating from this program, grateful that you chased your passions and have a whole community there to support you.