Connor Chang

Class of 2026
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor:  Korean Studies
Hometown:  Potomac, MD
High School:  Winston Churchill High School

What inspired you to become a ClarkLEADER?
The A. James Clark School of Engineering has given me one of the best academic experiences and closest peer relationships. However, none of it would have been possible without the fantastic people at ClarkLEAD who helped me embark on my journey into Clark School.

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
The thing I enjoyed most about ClarkLEAD as a first-year student was receiving the chance to meet fellow first-year engineering students who had similar interests as me. I've met many people at ClarkLEAD with whom I still have close relationships.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering students? 
The most critical advice I could give future Maryland Engineering students would be to make connections within the department. People in similar majors and classes can be beneficial when you're struggling, need additional help, or want someone to study with.

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you are involved with on campus?  
Some organizations I'm involved in are the Korean Student Association and Engineers Without Borders. KSA has allowed me to connect with fellow Korean students, while Engineers Without Borders has allowed me to utilize my engineering skills in a real-world scenario.

What is a cool engineering experience you've had? 
One of my coolest engineering experiences would be constructing an Off-Terrain Vehicle in ENES100. It's pretty cool how engineering students are given an opportunity to take part in a hands-on project as one of their first classes within the Clark School.