Outstanding Graduates
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering recognizes students who have worked diligently to excel academically and contribute to advancing the Fulton Schools mission.
Each semester, the Fulton Schools selects members of the graduating class who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and community service during their time as students. These exceptional students have excelled in research, public service, entrepreneurship and outreach.
Students chosen as Outstanding Graduates are honored for their exemplary academic performance and participation in activities that enhance their engineering skills. Impact Award winners are selected for their leadership, volunteer and service roles that have positively impacted the communities.
Many of these students may have faced challenges along their path to graduation, but through their perseverance and dedication, each of these graduates leaves a unique mark and lasting impact on the Fulton Schools community, Arizona and around the world.
Learn about the exceptional graduates of the Spring 2021 class below.
Outstanding graduates
Edward Apraku
BSE in civil engineering (environmental engineering)
Edward Apraku found a passion for the environmental side of civil engineering through applied projects at ASU and beyond. He also fostered diversity in engineering through outreach and mentorship activities to inspire the next generation of engineers of color.
Lonnye Blake Bower
BS in Information technology
Lonnye Blake Bower, with her 20 years of work experience and passion for engineering education, came to ASU to earn her degree in information technology.
Jeremy Chao
BSE in mechanical engineering
Jeremy Chao focused his research efforts on developing technologies to help lower heating and cooling costs via smart windows.
Lucas Crane
BSE in environmental engineering
Lucas Crane has dedicated his time to participating in environmental engineering research and finding ways to make an impact in the community around him. He hopes his efforts will one day help water and wastewater systems become completely sustainable.
Eric Crapnell
BSE in engineering management
Eric Crapnell who completed his degree online while working 40 hours a week completed his capstone project as part of NASA’s Psyche mission.
Isabella Foster
BS in environmental and resource management
Determined to protect the environment, Isabella Foster launched into the environmental and resource management degree at The Polytechnic School. In addition to a full course load, she embraced her leadership skills and became vice president of her program's club.
Ashley Fuller
BS in graphic information technology (user experience)
Graphic information technology graduate Ashley Fuller excelled in academics, extracurricular activities and professional roles during her time at The Polytechnic School and will begin her master's degree in the fall.
James Hansen
BSE in aerospace engineering
Skills that James Hansen developed as an aerospace engineering student helped him get internships with Northrop Grumman Space Systems and the U.S. National Energy Lab, and support from the National Science Foundation to purse a doctoral degree.
Alexis Hocken
BSE in chemical engineering
Alexis Hocken spent four years researching biomaterials and was recognized for her research excellence with a Barry Goldwater Scholarship. She will continue her chemical engineering education by pursuing a doctorate at MIT.
Rebecca Martin
BSE in computer systems engineering, BS in mathematics (statistics), certificate in cryptology
Rebecca Martin has been successful in the classroom while also being an active participant in the engineering community as a member of several engineering student organizations and working as an undergraduate teaching assistant — all leading toward her dream of becoming a professor.
Cole Michaels
BSE in engineering (mechanical systems engineering)
With strengths in math and science, Cole Michaels excelled in the mechanical systems engineering program at The Polytechnic School. After graduating, Michael will join Honeywell Aerospace as a mechanical design engineer.
Kameron Moore
BSE in biomedical engineering and BA in Spanish linguistics
Once Kameron Moore knew he was on the right path with biomedical engineering, he took advantage of all the opportunities he could, from engineering outreach to designing new medical devices.
Damian Nguyen
BSE in construction engineering
Damian Nguyen says one of the most important things he learned in his construction engineering studies is that professional fulfillment comes not from doing only what a job requires but in “striving for innovation and bigger achievements.”
Ruth Oliver
BSE in materials science and engineering
Ruth Oliver finds materials science and engineering rewarding because it is crucial to understanding other engineering fields. Those understandings have inspired Oliver to share her professional passions through extensive mentorship at ASU.
Valentia Peruzzi
BS in software engineering
Valentia Peruzzi will soon be making new connections as a software development engineer at Microsoft in Seattle.
Spencer Pomerantz
BS in aeronautical management technology (air traffic management), BS in aeronautical management technology (air transportation management)
With a lifelong passion for aviation, Spencer Pomerantz decided to fulfill his dreams of becoming an air traffic controller with an aeronautical management technology degree from The Polytechnic School. He looks forward to beginning his master's degree in the fall.
Maria-Elena Sisneroz
BSE in electrical engineering
Maria-Elena Sisneroz is not your typical online student. This board-certified neurologic clinical specialist in physical therapy took a giant leap into the world of engineering and discovered she could use it to go further in serving humankind.
Alan Thomas
BS in technological entrepreneurship and management
Alan Thomas joined the technology entrepreneurship and management program at The Polytechnic School after beginning his career in the information technology field. He looks forward to merging his IT skills and learned social innovation and entrepreneurship skills to launch a startup of his own.
Alexis Torres
BS in construction management and technology
Alexis Torres grew up around the construction industry and entered ASU with a goal of learning from some of the top construction and engineering professionals in the field. As an undergraduate, he had the opportunity to put that knowledge to work.
Elizabeth White
BSE in industrial engineering
Elizabeth White says her interest in industrial engineering intensified during her undergraduate years as she learned of the growing array of pursuits in business, industry, science and other fields where her expertise can be applied.
Danial Yunus
BSE in computer science (cybersecurity)
Danial Yunus says the creativity and ingenuity he has discovered in computer science led him to develop a passion for the field he sees as offering boundless potential to solve society’s biggest challenges.
Impact Award winners
Kelly Anderson
BSE in electrical engineering
Kelly Anderson plans to change the world with her brand of “peace engineering.” Kelly’s love of electrical engineering, a desire to be a force of good and her leadership skills uniquely position her to be a game-changer and one to watch.
Cindy Rogel Bahena
BSE in materials science and engineering
Cindy Rogel Bahena inspired young students through her work in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and won a Fulton Schools Outstanding Outreach Leader award. She wants to continue to inspire students throughout her career.
Nathan Chmelnik
BSE in industrial engineering
Nathan Chmelnik enjoys helping others in the community and wants to use his skills to help nonprofit organizations improve their processes.
Alison Dewald
BSE in biomedical engineering
As a problem-solver and biomedical engineer, Alison Dewald is ready to use her skills to help people around the world. During her time at ASU, she also volunteered extensively to help Phoenix children.
Mohit Doshi
BS in computer science
Mohit Doshi wants to apply his computer science skills to support innovation across technology, education, government, energy and other fields. He believes we can transform society for the better.
Jeremy Guerrero
BSE in environmental engineering
Jeremy Guerrero knew he wanted to study environmental engineering because of the wide-reaching applications, including public health and global ecosystems.
Elizabeth Jones
BSE in electrical engineering
Elizabeth Jones has spent her college career creating a more diverse and inclusive future of engineering. She has also prepared herself for an impactful career in the aerospace and defense industry.
Lucianne Morin
BSE in biomedical engineering with a certificate in computational life sciences
As an undergraduate, Lucianne Morin learned the importance of building strong connections and enriching her education through research. She'll use those experiences to develop innovations in the biosensing field.
Andrea Russell
BSE in environmental engineering
Andrea Russell knew environmental engineering was the right path for her because she wanted to solve challenges, such as water availability and the environmental impact of manufacturing, that would have an immediate impact on the world.
Ahmed Usman
BS in computer science
After placing second in a hackathon, Ahmed Usman was set in his decision to pursue computer science, as he was able to see the wide variety of areas his work could impact.
Convocation speakers
Shaurya Jaisinghani
BSE in industrial engineering
Shaurya Jaisinghani values the diversity he experienced at ASU and how industrial engineering complements the way he thinks. He took advantage of opportunities to flex his skills and also shared his passion for engineering as a mentor and tutor.
Elizabeth Jones
BSE in electrical engineering
Elizabeth Jones has spent her college career creating a more diverse and inclusive future of engineering. She has also prepared herself for an impactful career in the aerospace and defense industry.
Palais Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
Hong Chen
PhD in electrical engineering
Hong Chen’s depth of knowledge in the field of photonics along with his pure brilliance as a researcher earned him the Palais Doctoral Student Award.