Rachel Rhoades

Rachel Rhoades knew she was suited for engineering back in her high school days. As a natural problem-solver, Rhoades researched the different fields of engineering and realized her love of math would be perfect in electrical engineering.

Choosing where to study was an easy decision for Rachel. Arizona State University offered her the optimal educational path as well as being a smart economical decision. 

“I also think that I was more successful at ASU than I would have been elsewhere because ASU has so many opportunities for students willing to look for them” Rhoades says.

The most rewarding part of Rhoades’ undergraduate years has been the wealth of opportunities that drew her to the university. 

“I have been able to build a very broad skillset from automotive engineering through Formula Society of Automotive Engineers to research experience through Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative to adding a second major,” says Rhoades, who is also a student in Barrett, The Honors College.

As Rachel settled into her academic career at ASU she found a mentor in Professor Douglas Cochran who not only helped her identify her strengths in her field but has encouraged her to go further with her studies. 

She fielded funding offers to pursue a doctoral degree in statistical signal processing from three different universities and as decided to attend the University of Michigan.

Along with interning at Sandia National Lab this summer, Rhoades has earned a couple of scholarships from industry, including Texas Instruments and Ford.

Her longterm goals are to work in a research position before she returns to academia and becomes an educator herself. 

“I would like to contribute to our understanding of the cosmos as there is a vast and unknown universe we have yet to explore.”

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2020 class here.