Joselin Ortuno is a first-generation college student with a Latina heritage. As a mechanical engineering major with a concentration in aeronautical engineering (and a Spanish minor as well), she has known since high school that engineering is where she belongs. Receiving the Jack Bush Engineering Scholarship has allowed her to chase her dream of working for NASA, designing space equipment and innovating ideas that will enable mankind to reach further into space and explore the unknown.
Tell us a little about yourself.
“I am a first-generation Latina college student. My major is mechanical engineering with a focus in aeronautical engineering. I am very proud of my heritage and where my family and I come from. I became interested in Engineering in high school and knew this was my calling. My first year at UGA was an amazing learning experience and helped me recognize and set a plan for what I want to do in the future. My end goal is to work for NASA and design space equipment. I will work as hard as I can to reach my goal, just as I have done to get this far.”
“I knew being in this field would be a challenge, but my curiosity to explore the unknown is what motivates me to work hard.”
How did you make the decision to attend UGA?
“I decided to attend UGA because I absolutely loved the campus and the positive vibes I felt when I first toured the College of Engineering. I felt like UGA was my home away from home within the first few minutes I was on campus. Aside from that, I knew I would be able to achieve my educational goals because of all the empowering and enriching activities and opportunities the college offers.”
What made you decide to major in engineering?
“My love for math and science were the major factors in deciding to pursue a career in STEM. Furthermore, my interest in outer space and the equipment used to go beyond our planet inspired me to pursue engineering. I knew being in this field would be a challenge, but my curiosity to explore the unknown is what motivates me to work hard.”
What is your favorite thing about UGA Engineering? What is the most challenging thing about being an engineering student?
“My favorite thing about UGA Engineering is the amount of resources and opportunities available to us to further our education and gain experience in the real world. The most challenging thing about being an engineering student is having to challenge our brains to think in complex ways or having to think from different perspectives to understand and solve problems. It is difficult to steer away from a certain approach what that is what one is accustomed to, but it is rewarding to gain new knowledge in the process.”
“This scholarship has helped me cross educational barriers I never thought I would as a first-generation college student.”
How has your scholarship affected your educational experience?
“My scholarship has helped me pursue my education without having to stress about my financial situation. I am blessed to not have to take on more responsibilities and primarily focus on my studies. I have more time to be able to learn and reinforce material, connect with professors and peers, use academic resources such as tutoring, and take advantage of other resources offered by the college. This scholarship has helped me cross educational barriers I never thought I would as a first-generation college student.”
How has being the recipient of the Jack Bush Engineering Scholarship shaped your view of philanthropy?
“Being a recipient of this scholarship has strengthened my view of philanthropy and encourages me to be able to do the same to help future engineering students. My family has always stressed the importance of giving back to the community and helping others.”
What do you hope to achieve during your time at UGA?
“During my time at UGA, I hope to keep challenging myself in my education and gain some real-world experience in the aerospace industry. I hope to gain knowledge of the engineering world and be able to use my knowledge to help other engineers. I also want to have a bigger role in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at UGA and learn what it means to be a Hispanic engineer. Outside of engineering, I hope to be able to dive deeper into my culture and help others discover their own. As a first-generation Hispanic college student, I am already accomplishing a big goal, but I want to reach further and inspire others to pursue an enriching education and achieve their goals.”
“It’s not just about financial support; it is more than that. My donor has supported me by being my mentor and my friend as well.”
If you could say one thing to scholarship donors, what would it be?
“I would say a big THANK YOU to all scholarship donors! It is truly a blessing to have all these generous and thoughtful donors helping students pursue their educational paths. I am so thankful to have this support; it has helped me in unimaginable ways. It is not just about financial support; it is more than that. My donor has supported me by being my mentor and my friend as well. He continues to help me to be the best engineering student I can be, and for that I am forever grateful and appreciative.”
What are your plans after your graduate? What do you hope to leave as your legacy after your leave UGA?
“My plans after graduation are to work in the aerospace industry and learn to design and build spacecraft. I want to be able to lead mankind into reaching further into space and exploring the unknown. I hope to leave UGA knowing that I helped other Latinx students pursue an education in engineering and celebrate their culture. I want these students to feel welcome at UGA and know they have a community – such as SHPE – supporting them. I hope to leave knowing I not only achieved my goals, but helped others achieve theirs too.”
Click here to see a profile on Joselin’s scholarship donor, Jack Bush.
