Katie Elliott

Class of 2025
Major: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Minor: Global Engineering Leadership
Hometown: Damascus, MD
High School: Damascus High School

What Made You Decide to Attend UMD?

I wanted a place that would have a lot of opportunities for me in and out of class, especially in engineering. I love how at UMD, I meet new and different people every day, and I am constantly challenged by my peers. There are so many extracurriculars to get involved with, and so many things to do on and off campus. 

Best Experience with a Class or Project

My favorite experience with a class was in Mechanics I, where we had to make a truss that would hold a weight of at least 1000lbs. I loved getting to design and build the truss with my group using the calculations that we learned from the semester, and our truss successfully held the weight! I enjoyed the project so much that I switched from Bioengineering to Civil Engineering. This project led me to realize that I like structures and that I would enjoy the field of Civil Engineering. 

Favorite Class In Major

ENES102: Mechanics I

Favorite Class Out of Major

ENES317: Intro to Engineering Leadership

Student Organizations/Extracurricular Activities

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Concrete Canoe 
Tau Beta Pi 
Society of Women Engineers

Favorite On-Campus Event

I enjoy going to UMD sports games, especially soccer and basketball. 

Favorite Research or Study Abroad Experiences

I have not had any official research or study abroad experience yet, but this year I will be very involved in research and development for a lightweight concrete mix for concrete canoe. 

Cool Engineering Experience

My favorite engineering experience has been the Concrete Canoe Competition Team which is a part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The Concrete Canoe team designs and builds a canoe out of concrete and races it at the regional competition against other schools in the Northeast Region. Last year, we won second place, and I won a race against the Naval Academy! This year, I am the Mix Design Lead, and I will be testing my knowledge of concrete mix to attempt to make a lighter mix this year. 

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