Chelsea Atkins

Chelsea Atkins

The resources that the College of Engineering provides have been the road map I’ve used to navigate my academic career.

Meet Chelsea

Through the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, Chelsea Atkins learned about the American Society for Engineering Education’s SMART Scholarship, which was established by the Department of Defense to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Less than a year later, she found out she was among the elite 9% of applicants who had received the scholarship and everything that goes along with it: a cash award of $25,000 per year; full tuition and related education expenses; health insurance and book allowances; summer internships; and post-graduation career opportunities.

The meaningful relationships and connections she made during her last two years of high school in FGCU’s Accelerated Collegiate Program (ACE) have already paid off in a huge way.

She says the faculty are what sets the College of Engineering apart from other universities.

“In the chances I’ve had to connect with students in my field from other schools, I'm often surprised at the disconnect they seem to have with their professors,” she says. “My professors were and continue to be the cornerstone of my FGCU experience."

“The faculty and advisors in my program are like my second family. Their support and encouragement knows no bounds, and it’s so reassuring to know that no matter what happens, there’s always someone there to help you succeed.

“When I expressed interest in using my skills in my area of study to pursue a career in the aerospace industry, I’ve had professors and faculty in my department send me relevant connections to conferences, scholarships and opportunities that further my goals. The resources that the College of Engineering provides have been the road map I’ve used to navigate my academic career.”

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