The Engineering Leadership Academy is a two-year, extra-curricular program that prepares undergraduate students to successfully fulfill leadership roles on campus and within the engineering industry by building their leadership abilities. As part of the leadership academy, students participate in capstone projects that help further the greater Charlotte community.
“The Engineering Leadership Academy has enhanced my UNC Charlotte experience by allowing me to connect with other engineering students outside of the
classroom as we grow personally and professionally,” said Gant Derrick, a senior majoring in civil engineering and minoring in mathematics. “The capstone project is allowing me to apply the project management and teamwork skills I have learned in the Engineering Leadership Academy to a real world project.”
This year, the leadership academy students are crowdfunding to help fund five capstone projects. Their goal is $5,000.
Free Little Libraries
The Engineering Leadership Librarians, a group of ambitious engineering student leaders, are building free little libraries to provide reading materials to inspire young readers and contribute to the mission of creating environments that encourage joy and learning. The libraries will be installed at Niner University Elementary at Amay James and the Alpha Learning Center.
Hollingsworth Foundation
Engineering students are supporting the Hollingsworth Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to bring awareness to an autosomal disease which leads to the deterioration of the cerebellum, leading to impairment of motor functions and progressive vision loss, through increased awareness and fundraising. Derrian Hollingsworth, founder of the Hollingsworth Foundation, has a personal connection to this condition as he, his sister, mother, and two daughters have all been diagnosed. The objective of this project is to work with the Hollingsworth Foundation to provide meaningful experiences for Mr. Hollingsworth’s youngest daughter, Kelsey, related to engineering, campus organizations and UNC Charlotte.
“Working with the Hollingsworth Foundation has changed my perspective on a lot of
Things,” said Abby McConnell, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in electrical engineering. “It has given me an understanding of what true struggle looks like and helped me be more appreciative of the opportunities that I have been given here at UNC Charlotte and in my life in general.”
Paving the Way for the Panthers
The Trail Blazers (engineering students) are partnering with Paw Creek Elementary School to create an educational and interactive nature trail at the school. The group will revitalize an existing trail by clearing the path, restoring trail infrastructure and adding permanent educational activity stations such as an abacus, fulcrum, tree ring and rain gauge along the route.
“Niner Nation should contribute to this project because it allows for young children to gain early exposure to STEM topics, both to learn about the connection between STEM and nature, as well as promote further curiosity,” said Derrick, Trail Blazers team lead.
Teaching Tables
Engineering students are partnering with Hough High School to create teaching tables in a small outside area. The goal of the new seating area is to improve the campus grounds and inspire the high school to pursue the field of engineering. The UNC Charlotte engineering students will also give a presentation showcasing the engineering profession to the Hough students.