News 2021: Leyi Chen: Women in Engineering scholarship recipient

Leyi Chen ’24 is the inaugural recipient of the 2020 Women in Defense Greater Boston Chapter/UMassD Scholarship for Women in Engineering.

Leyi Chen ’24 is the inaugural recipient of the 2020 Women in Defense Greater Boston Chapter/UMassD Scholarship for Women in Engineering. Leyi, whose hometown is Guangdong of China, says her interest in fixing things and solving puzzles led her to pursue mechanical engineering as her major. “I figured mechanical engineering would be something that fits my interest,” she says. “I also took an engineering class in high school, which increased my passion for engineering.”

The $1,000 scholarship will be used to help pay for her college tuition. “I am very excited to be a recipient of the Women in Engineering Scholarship, Leyi says. “It was unexpected. As a first-generation student, I feel extremely grateful for this scholarship. I am looking forward to learning and joining other women in the career field revolved around engineering.”

She says her academic goals are to continue exploring more of engineering and to hopefully obtain a part-time job on campus while attending college. “I also hope to be more involved in college by joining some clubs and having fun in school while also learning.”