A participant in the First Year Scholars program, Jordan Howard knew he wanted to be an engineer during his junior year in high school. As a First Year Scholar, he believes the program has set him up for success, and he intends to take full advantage of the opportunities he has found in the College of Engineering.
How did you choose UGA?
“I chose UGA because of their commitment to improvement. I felt the university always sought ways to build on its successes and fix setbacks. I wanted to attend because I knew the opportunities for me would only multiply the longer I stayed.”
How did you choose engineering?
“I was on the engineering pathway all four years of high school, but it wasn’t until my junior year that I decided I wanted to become an engineer. My engineering teacher allowed me to work on an Arduino circuit board for a project, and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world when I made an LED turn on with a the push of a button.”
“Seeing how education improved their lives motivated me to value my education and aspire to attend college.”
Who or what has inspired you in your educational journey?
“My parents inspired me most on my educational journey, with both of them being the first people in their families to graduate from college. Seeing how education improved their lives motivated me to value my education and aspire to attend college.”
What has been the most challenging aspect of being an engineering student? What do you enjoy most about it?
“The amount of new material on strenuous concepts can sometimes be overwhelming. However, once I learned them, I enjoyed applying my skills in settings outside the classroom most.”
“Many people spoke about what I should do and how to do it, but ultimately, it was up to me to figure out and decide how to transition into a new environment.”
What do you feel are the greatest challenges facing first-year students?
“Implementing all the advice I received from people was my biggest challenge as a first-year. Many people spoke about what I should do and how to do it, but ultimately, it was up to me to figure out and decide how to transition into a new environment.”
Last year, you were a participant in the First-Year Scholars program, which is supported by corporate donors to the College of Engineering. How did participating in this program help you?
“The First Year Scholars program has helped me to get more scholarships and my summer internship. One of the program’s requirements was attending the College of Engineering Career Fair, and I earned an interview from one of the companies at the event. During my interview, I was asked what experience I had that could benefit them, and the only applicable experience I had was when I designed a sensor capable of tracking the moisture of peanuts for a final group project in my First Year Scholar’s class.”
“It is more than a financial contribution – it is a commitment to improving the lives of people involved and connected to the College of Engineering.”
How did the First Year Scholars program shape your view of philanthropy?
“It made me value my experiences, knowing it was possible through the generosity of others. The donors do not know who I am, but their unselfishness has changed my life in more ways than one.”
What do you hope to accomplish during your time at UGA? What do you hope to accomplish after graduating with your engineering degree?
“I want to be involved as much as possible at UGA because opportunities like this are not readily available. After graduating, I want to work with computer hardware and become a donor to the College of Engineering.”
If you could say one thing to Engineering donors, what would it be?
“Thank you for supporting me and the countless others who will benefit from your kindness. It is more than a financial contribution – it is a commitment to improving the lives of people involved and connected to the College of Engineering.”
