Social Concsiousness Through Service-Learning

Equitable engineering, at both the local and international level, is of great concern to me. In addition to the inequities that my research introduced me to with many modern innovations, I’ve also seen first-hand the effects of inequitable engineering on underprivileged communities.

For the past two years, I have served as president of the Global Engineering Initiative at my university, a service-based club focused on incorporating socially-conscious engineering through sustainable projects both locally and internationally. Each year, we plan and coordinate an annual service trip with our non-profit partner, Global Brigades and lead fundraising efforts in order to reduce costs and make the opportunity as accessible to students possible.

In Spring 2022, I travelled to Anomabo, Ghana with a cohort of nine other Global Engineering Initiative club members. During our time there, we constructed biodigester toilet systems alongside local artisans for three households in the rural community of Suprudo. The low-tech nature and ease of maintenance of such anaerobic digestor systems make them especially suitable interventions for communities like Suprudo that lack amenities such as indoor plumbing, potable water and toilets. This experience helped me to understand the significance and impact of infrastructure development on the public health and general wellbeing of a community as well as the importance of context-specific design. It was there, in the face of extreme poverty, that I realized how many amenities that we take for granted are just inequitable privileges, available in abundance to some, and completely out of reach to others. In Suprudo, waterborne illnesses thrive and remain a deadly threat due to a lack of resources for prevention, such as potable water, proper sanitation and access to medical treatment. Most of the residents are forced to resort to open defecation.

Outside of international activities, the club engages in various local volunteering efforts within Portland throughout the year. This includes but is not limited to, forest trail maintenance for Forest Park Conservancy as well as restocking shelves and assisting customers at Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations.

I have also participated in STEM outreach events for local children through Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and other organizations, and mentored incoming female students in engineering as part of the Society of Women Engineers. To advocate for equity in my school and contribute to fostering a sense of community, I currently serve as the Student Senator for the School of Engineering at my university, where I also act on the infrastructure committee. Through this role, I represent my peers’ needs and interests by actively participating in student government meetings and voicing constituents’ concerns to administration. By maintaining open communication with my constituents, I’m able to receive feedback on my performance and make changes accordingly.

My participation in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program has been especially helpful for establishing a sense of interconnectedness for the diverse experiences I’ve had throughout my studies thus far, leading me to consider the various ethical, social, and cultural implications of my work, as well as how it can positively impact society. My chosen challenge of focus, “Restore and Improve Urban Infrastructure” has served as a central theme, linking my global experiences in Suprudo, Ghana, with my local endeavors in Portland. From constructing biodigester toilet systems to advocating for infrastructure improvements as a Student Senator, I've witnessed the profound impact of socially conscious engineering on communities. This holistic approach, addressing disparities on various scales, reflects the essence of equitable engineering. As a Grand Challenge Scholar, I am committed to leveraging these experiences to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.