Maddy Vales

Major: Chemical Engineering

Why did you choose this area of study?

I chose chemical engineering because I wanted the flexibility to enter virtually any industry after graduation. As a first-year student, I was really impressed with the chemical engineering community at CWRU. The folks in the department are welcoming, inclusive, and inspirational.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will be moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, and working at P&G as a fabric care engineer.

Why did you choose CWRU?

I chose CWRU for the people! The students, faculty, and staff are so incredible. During my admitted students overnight, I wandered into WISER's Pastries and Professionals event. Even though I was a random prospie crashing their meeting, the attendees welcomed me with open arms and inspired me to pursue my STEM goals.

What was your favorite class? And why?

My favorite class was the chemical engineering department's notorious Senior Lab. While it certainly required blood, sweat, and tears, I truly felt like the course challenged me to use everything I'd learned throughout my undergrad career. I finally felt like a real engineer! I learned a lot and grew significantly during the semester.

What's your favorite thing about CWRU or your favorite memory?

One of my favorite CWRU memories was Homecoming 2021. Since it was the first homecoming following the pandemic lockdown, it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends new and old.

What's a piece of advice/encouragement you'd like to share with CSE students?

My best piece of advice would be to leverage your connections! The CWRU community is amazing - the students, professors, and alumni are all there to support you. You can can absolutely excel if you lean on your community.

What activities were you involved in outside of class? Why did you get involved? What was your favorite part?

oSTEM@CWRU! When my friends told me about a new club for LGBTQ people in STEM, it sounded like the perfect organization. Since then, I've loved being able to connect with my LGBTQ peers, launch a mentorship program, and plan events like the Drag Show.