Junior applied engineering foundry technology student Samantha Battaglia is one of the most involved students at the College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE). She serves as a mentor and volunteer in college activities and creates engagement events on her own with a special interest in educating and encouraging girls to pursue careers in engineering.
Battaglia said she hopes to work for NASA'S Jet Propulsion Laboratory after graduation but for now she is enjoying her time on campus, citing her favorite class as self defense.
“Self-defense class is a great stress reliever and feels great knowing I have the power to defend myself if the need arises,” Battaglia says. “My favorite experience though as a Kent State student was the study abroad program. Through this program I was able to spend nine days in Scotland.”
During her time at Kent State she represented the CAE at the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) competition, a student event that takes place in the fall at the Kennedy Space Center for preparation for the NASA Robotics Mining competition in the spring.
“I am currently involved in several extracurricular activities,” Battaglia says. “The first club that I joined was the NASA robotics mining team and I also am part of the American Foundry Society (AFS). In both of the clubs I hold officer positions. I am currently the outreach coordinator for the robotics team and I am the secretary for AFS.”
After graduation, Battaglia is open to staying in Ohio or moving to Texas or New Mexico.