Hello! It’s nice to meet you. I am Willow Young, a second-year student at UCF Majoring in Civil
Engineering and Minoring in Communications. I am from Pensacola, Florida and graduated from West Florida High School of Advanced Technology in 2025. I’ve always enjoyed learning about STEM concepts and getting to understand how the world works. At UCF, some of my favorite classes have been the Intro to the Engineering Profession with Mrs. Jackie Sullivan, which allowed me to gain project experience in my very first semester, and Statics with Mr. Snyder, a Civil Engineer! Statics has shown me the basics of structures engineering and given me a mathematical way to see the infrastructure we use every day. While I do love STEM classes, I am also very passionate about the humanities and make it a priority to incorporate more creative classes into my time at UCF. One of my favorite humanities classes I’ve taken is Religion and Gender with Dr. Ann Gleig. This class was so unlike anything I had taken before and gave me the opportunity to see things in a new perspective. I decided to get involved with the STEM Ambassador Program because I believe those early connections can make a big difference. My first experience with iSTEM was through a technical presentations class, where I participated in the Fall UCF STEM. Being able to see students’ faces light up when learning something new and answering their questions was truly meaningful to me, and the STEM Ambassador Program will allow me to continue serving in events like these. As a STEM Ambassador, I hope to show students that there are many different ways to pursue careers in STEM and encourage overall STEM literacy and excitement. Some advice I have for future STEM students is to remember to maintain a balance and to not be too self-critical. Engineering can seem overwhelming at times but having outlets to step away to and staying confident in your abilities will allow you to enjoy it that much more. Outside of school, I enjoy playing piano and making music, cooking elaborate meals, and getting out in nature! Getting in touch with my creative side helps me stay grateful and grounded, and I love to experience the world. I am so excited for this year!