Rachel Hylan

She/Her/Hers
Class of 2027
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: History
Hometown: Odenton, Maryland

What motivated you to become a ClarkLEADER?
I was motivated to be a ClarkLEADER because I've always enjoyed being able to help and offer advice to those around me. In high school, I had a mentor-like role in my school's Project Lead the Way program, and I'm excited to transfer those skills and experiences to a UMD program such as this.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new Maryland Engineering Students?
NEVER give up! No matter what anyone tells you, or how hard the road ahead may seem, continue to strive for your dreams! Every day, remind yourself of why *you* picked to be here, and use that as motivation to push you forward.

What are some organizations or extracurricular activities you think new students should know about?
As an engineering student, I think new students should know about the Flexus and Virtus living learning programs. Each of these programs do an excellent job of establishing a close-knit community focused on inclusiveness and open-mindedness within our engineering school. As an avid track athlete, I think new students should be aware of this school's club running team. The team is so much fun, and is a great fit for everyone from new, novice runners looking to jog with some friends to those who love to run in the midst of the thrill of competition.

If you attended ClarkLEAD as a first-year student, what did you enjoy most about the event?
I really enjoyed getting to hear about the different classes and pathways within the Clark School from the students' perspective, especially from those still completing their undergraduate degrees.