Mary Kate Comegna

She/Her
Class of 2026
Major: Fire Protection Engineering
Hometown: Catonsville, Maryland

What motivated you to become a ClarkLEADER?
I wanted to be a ClarkLEADER because I remember how much it meant to have someone friendly and helpful around during my first year. I think it’s fun to welcome new students, answer their questions, and help them feel a little more confident starting out. I enjoy meeting everyone and getting to be part of their experience.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering Students?
Be confident in yourself and don’t give up. Engineering is challenging, and there will definitely be times when you feel discouraged, but that’s SO normal. Just stay with it, do your best, and utilize all the resources available to you. You’re more capable than you think, and you're not in it alone.

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you think new students should know about?
I definitely recommend joining the Society of Women Engineers (SWE)—it's open to everyone, not just women or engineering majors, and it’s such a fun, supportive community. I’d also check out major-specific clubs like the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). They’re great for meeting people who are in the same boat as you. I’m in all of them, so if you see me there, come say hi!

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
I thought it was a great opportunity to meet other engineering students before classes even started. It gave me space to ask questions, hear what to expect, and just feel more prepared. A lot of the people I met there ended up in my classes later on, so it was nice to have that intro and feel a little more connected going in.