Biosketch
- Name: Wiktoria Smajkiewicz
- College: Francis College of Engineering
- Major: Civil Engineering with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching minor
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
- Brief introduction about who you are, your role, and your academic focus:
I'm currently a junior majoring in civil engineering with a minor in STEM teaching. I am a Team Leader at RHSA where I support a group of Peer Leaders and freshmen that are in the school of engineering and science. I enjoy being a part of RHSA as I able to support and help my peers with wanting to become successful and the best versions of themselves. - Favorite hobbies: I enjoy reading and gaming (very invested in Infinity Nikki).
- What is your favorite thing about UMass Lowell (UML)?
My favorite thing about UML has been the people and programs. - Why did you choose to attend UMass Lowell?
UML was the best choice I had that was reasonably priced, programs that I was interested in, and seemed invested in my success. - What are your future academic and/or career goals?
I have two options for career goals, becoming an engineering teacher or working out on the field as an engineer. - What has being involved with the River Hawk Scholars Academy meant to you?
Being involved with RHSA meant being able to help other first generation students become comfortable and open to being on campus and using resources that would benefit their time in college. - What inspires you to support RHSA and/or first-generation students?
Knowing that RHSA is here to support first generation students like me and has helped me multiple times already is what inspires me to support RHSA. - Looking back, what advice would you give to yourself in your first year of college?
I would tell my first year self to go out more and participate in more events. - What advice would you give to fellow UMass Lowell students?
Complete all your assignments and study in advance. - What does it mean to you to be a first-generation college student?
Being a first generation college student means being the first in my family to be able to pursue a higher form of education to get a degree. - What inspires you to want to help first-generation students in the RHSA?
Seeing other first generation students go out and become successful in their own ways because they had someone that was able to support them,