Frida Morales

Arizona native Frida Morales says she chose to attend Arizona State University because it already felt like home. Her early inspiration to become an engineer came from her uncle, a mechanical engineer whose determination and warmth left a lasting impression.

“I knew I wanted to be an engineer at a very young age because I looked up to my uncle and wanted to be like him,” Morales says. “I chose industrial engineering because I wanted to use my creative problem-solving skills to improve systems and ultimately people’s lives.”

She was drawn to the surprising mix of creativity and adaptability the major offers.

“I’m surprised by how versatile industrial engineering is and how few people pursue it compared to other engineering majors,” she says. “It’s exciting that I can work in so many different areas and really make an impact.”

Morales quickly discovered she was on the right path. In her IEE 369 lab, she experienced an “aha!” moment when she realized how much she enjoyed improving processes and seeing her ideas make a measurable difference. That excitement followed her through her coursework and into real-world applications.

During her time at the Fulton Schools, she made the most of every opportunity, earning a place on the dean’s list every semester and receiving support from the Tempe Diablos, the New American University Scholarship program and the Obama Scholars Program. Morales conducted research focused on forecasting water supply and demand in the Phoenix area for the next five years. 

She was also a member of the Society of Women Engineers and gained industry experience through an internship at Honeywell. She notes that being a woman in engineering is especially meaningful to her because it brings diverse perspectives to the profession and inspires future women to follow.

Morales’ capstone project stands out as a defining experience. Working with a local window company, she applied her industrial engineering skills to help address a real challenge and received recognition from the company for her outstanding contributions.

Throughout her academic journey, Morales says she learned the value of perseverance through balancing multiple responsibilities while keeping her studies a priority. She credits Professor of Practice Dan McCarville as the most influential mentor in her time at ASU.

“By far, I learned the most from him than any other professor at ASU,” she says. “He is caring, knowledgeable and, overall, the most impactful person in my experience at ASU.”

After graduation, Morales will continue her education in industrial engineering through the Fulton Schools Accelerated Master’s degree program while working full-time as a project manager at Honeywell. She plans to build a career rooted in quality improvement and hopes it takes her around the world.

“I hope I get to travel the world through my career,” she says, “and make valuable changes that will help people.”

Favorites

Band: Homoxide Gang
TV show: Wizards of Waverly Place
Movie: White Chicks
Sports team: ASU Football
Game: Fortnite

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ fall 2025 class.

Written by Hannah Weisman