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Nine students from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026.

These awards honor seniors who are��nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions.

Each of the nine award winners will be recognized and celebrated at the department's Graduation Recognition Ceremony��on Friday, May 1.

Read below to learn more about these students and their amazing achievements.

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Tegan Chanders

Chanders is receiving the Academic Engagement Award because of her relentless commitment to her studies. As a member of the Engineering Honors Program, Chanders has consistently demonstrated excellence by maintaining a high GPA while balancing a demanding and rigorous schedule. She has even leaned into early graduate-level coursework in preparation for her future.

On top of her studies, Chanders has also shown engagement in other areas of academia, including a semester studying abroad and internships with local startup companies. She is also a member of the��Society of Women Engineers and the��Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics, helping to create a supportive community for women in engineering and inspire the next generation of engineers.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I am continuing my education at CU ������ý���� by pursuing my master's degree in mechanical engineering through the��Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM). My undergraduate degree at CU ������ý���� helped me gain a foundation in mechanical engineering and gave me the opportunity to discover what I am passionate about.��

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Get involved, make friends, go to class and get to know your professors! Everyone at CU wants to help you succeed, so take advantage of all of the opportunities you get and experience lots of new things.��

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Daniel Pagatpatan

Pagatpatan, an Academic Engagement Award recipient, has put together an impressive academic path during his time at CU ������ý����. As an ME major with minors in both engineering management and biomedical engineering, Pagatpatan is constantly stepping out of his comfort zone and pursuing more. He has completed five graduate-level courses during his undergraduate studies and even applied innovative approaches to his senior design project, which has resulted in a patent pending technology to advance robotic assisted surgical systems.

Pagatpatan has served as a course assistant for several core engineering classes across four separate semesters, too. In these roles, his nominator says he has gone “beyond basic grading” to lead entire lab sections and mentor new course assistants. He is also a dedicated advocate for all students and staff,��helping them navigate difficult course topics in subjects where he has already achieved success.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I will be pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering here at CU ������ý���� as part of the BAM Program! The opportunities offered by CU ������ý���� allowed me to learn more about topics that are of interest to me and helped me develop both the technical and soft skills necessary to be confident in my abilities as an engineer.��

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

My best advice for other students would be to put yourself out there! Getting to know your peers and your professors will help build a strong network and support group where each person brings their own strengths to the table and everyone can learn from each other.

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Isabella Wheeler

Wheeler is receiving the Academic Engagement and Perseverance Awards for her dedication to academic success and outstanding resilience. With a background in premedical studies, Wheeler has integrated a diverse, human-centered approach to her engineering studies and volunteer work in healthcare settings. She has also served as a course assistant for multiple undergraduate engineering classes, dedicating nearly 25 hours a week towards managing everything from course logistics to writing exam questions for nearly 100 students.

But her journey has not been easy. Wheeler has dealt with sudden health issues, academic setbacks and even instances of exclusion over the past four years. However, her nominator says she never retreated. She kept pushing and taking proactive measures to progress forward. She is not only the epitome of strength and courage—she has become a beam of inclusivity and a welcoming presence for others facing adversity.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

My next step will be a full-time position as a Thermal Engineer at SpaceX in Los Angeles, where I’ll be working on satellites. I’m incredibly excited for this opportunity and the chance to dive deeper into a specialized technical field that I’m truly passionate about.

CU ������ý���� and the��College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) played a major role in preparing me for this next chapter. As both a student and an educator, I was able to explore a highly specific niche in thermal engineering while also receiving a well-rounded education that gave me the flexibility to take on new challenges.��

Through a CU ������ý����–sponsored career fair, I connected with Sierra Nevada Corporation, where my internship became one of the most transformative experiences of my early career. That role helped me grow significantly as an engineer and shaped the direction of my professional path.

The��Design Center Colorado��Senior Design Program was also instrumental in preparing me for this opportunity. Through a company-sponsored project with Sierra Space, I gained hands-on experience working on satellite systems for the first time.��

This project sparked my interest in the space industry and played a key role in motivating me to pursue a career at SpaceX. It also taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, systems-level thinking, and the technical aspects of spacecraft thermal control, including radiator design. Together, these experiences gave me both the confidence and the skill set to take this exciting next step.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

For future students, my advice is simple: fail often and fail early. Failure is not a reflection of your potential, it is a necessary part of growth. Allowing yourself to struggle, to take risks, and to step outside of your comfort zone will accelerate your learning and help you discover what you are truly passionate about.��

Do not be afraid to ask questions, to seek help, or to challenge yourself with difficult material. Academic success is not reserved for those with prior knowledge or natural talent; it belongs to those who are willing to persist, to reflect, and to continue moving forward despite setbacks.

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Asaiah Gifford

Gifford is receiving a multitude of recognitions this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Culture Impact Award and Global Engagement Award.��

Gifford’s impact on community and culture starts with her strong commitment and demonstrated effort to create a welcoming environment for Black students on campus. She serves as the president of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the only Black Greek Letter Organization on campus. She has helped connect young students with unique professional development opportunities, helped plan Black History Month and Earth Day events and even encouraged civic engagement by helping fellow students register to vote.

Gifford also displays excellence abroad. As a dedicated board member of��CU Engineers Without Borders, she has traveled abroad three times to Spain, Singapore and Rwanda. In each place, her nominator said she was able to bridge communication gaps and navigate different knowledge systems in a professional engineering capacity. But most of all, she treated other communities with respect and kindness, inspiring her peers to study abroad and participate in global efforts themselves.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I will be interning at United Launch Alliance on the mechanical engineering strength analysis team at their factory in Decatur, Alabama, and will be a Brooke Owens Fellow. I'll return to CU ������ý���� in the fall to complete my master's degree through the BAM program.��

CU ������ý���� gave me the opportunity to explore different parts of the world and what engineering can and should look like in a range of fields. Those experiences helped me better learn what I value and how I can uphold my values in any work I do.��

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

The most valuable part of my time in college has been the opportunity to be invested in by others, and my only advice is that other students seek out and build connections that invest in them.��

While it’s true that I am very passionate about the activities and experiences I had, and was intentional in my pursuit of them, the meaning I have gleaned comes in whole from the mentors, professors, peers, and other community members that guided and collaborated with me. These amazing individuals are abundant at CU ������ý����, so take advantage!

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Madison Seckman

Seckman is receiving three awards this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Global Engagement Award and Research Award.

Her community contributions come from an interesting and unique place. As part of the Balance Builders program, Seckman created a cooking course called Cooking and Community Nights, sponsored by Engineering Connections. Designed around mental health themes, each night was a culinary metaphor for a common mental health struggle experienced by first-year engineering students. The sustainable program helped facilitate difficult conversations regarding mental health and transition periods.��

She also served a four-year commitment with Engineers Without Borders Ecuador, where she helped lead the design of essential infrastructure, such as taps and meters, for a community in need. Her nominator says she has demonstrated a clear ability to deliver technical engineering practices while respecting and collaborating with Indigenous Knowledge systems.

Seckman has exhibited outstanding research ability, as well. She spent nearly a year working in the��Pellegrino Lab, led by Research Professor��John Pellegrino, where she focused on the development of semipermeable graphene-based membrane electrodes. Her work was highly innovative, aiming to create a device capable of powering medical implants like pacemakers and prosthetics using only blood flow.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Starting this fall, I am transitioning from an internship to a full-time position with Medtronic as a CAS Clinical Specialist providing technical support for physicians in hospitals. I am also moving to Durham, North Carolina where I will be a part-time graduate student at Duke University earning a master's in mechanical engineering.��

CU ������ý���� helped me make connections at Medtronic through the��Biomedical Engineering Society, and provided rigorous coursework that helped me get into grad school at Duke.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Don't be afraid to have fun! Focus on your grades when you need to, but stay ahead so you can be spontaneous. Try a new sport or learn a new skill!

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Zachary Weiner

Weiner, a Global Engagement honoree, is well-known for his presence on CU ������ý����’s Engineers Without Borders USA chapter. Here, he served as the president and project manager on water source and distribution projects in Guatemala and Ecuador. He even helped establish an exciting new partnership with the��Mortenson Center.��

Since his involvement in the program began in 2022, Weiner has prioritized listening to community stakeholders, recognizing local expertise and adapting engineering plans to align with cultural values, environmental conditions and community-defined needs. His nominator says that global communities improved as a result of Weiner’s social awareness and responsible engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This summer, I will start as a Field Engineer with Mortenson Construction's wind team. CU ������ý���� gave me the opportunity to explore a wide variety of engineering fields and industries so that I could find what most interested me.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Find clubs and organizations that you care about and get as involved as possible. That is where so much learning and growth happens that can't happen in the classroom.

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Danielle Swen

Swen is receiving the Perseverance Award for her unwavering resilience in the face of pressure and adversity. During her time at CU ������ý����, she has juggled heavy coursework and difficult responsibilities while also dealing with personal loss.

But despite these struggles, Swen has always stayed on track and remained a selfless advocate for her peers. She has been a vital support system for others, helping conduct resume reviews and leading professional workshops. Her nominator says she is a student who perseveres by “maintaining a well-rounded and community-focused life.”

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I'm headed to SpaceX as a Propulsion Engineer! CEAS has helped me prepare for this incredible opportunity through great mentors and challenging developmental courses.��

As my classes progressed, I began to truly understand the fundamentals of engineering. This helped me become a strong problem solver and better able to make sense of the world around me.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

College was not easy. In fact, it was very difficult!��

But that’s okay. One day it will all be done and you will look back and appreciate all of the hard work you put in, how much you learned and the incredible people you met. It is easy to get caught up in the chaos and commotion, so remember to appreciate everything around you every once in a while.

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Alexander Aronov

Aronov has earned a Research Award for his work on the��SCENIC Colorado program, a National Science Foundation funded effort working to broaden access to engineering education in rural high school classrooms. Every year, SCENIC connects CU ������ý���� students with rural high schools to introduce hands-on engineering experiences into the classroom, turning local questions about air and soil quality into real-world research projects.

By investigating how students engage in asking research questions, developing hypotheses, and finding engineering solutions, the SCENIC program has helped address critical gaps in rural STEM education. Aronov’s contributions were significant enough to present at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Rocky Mountain Conference, as well as publish the team’s results in a primary-authored��, marking him as a high-achieving undergraduate researcher.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This fall, I'll be starting as a 1L at the University of Chicago Law School. Because of my engineering education at CU, I feel better prepared than most might think.

Engineering taught me how to take enormous problems and break them into workable pieces. From senior design to research, the work demanded rigor and collaboration. The combination of thinking analytically while working alongside others is invaluable in any field.

It's a different path than the typical pre-law background, but I think that's going to be an asset. The legal field is full of complex, layered problems with unclear answers. I've been trained to tackle exactly that alongside world-class peers at ������ý����.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Find things you are passionate about, and don’t be afraid to push yourself. Take full advantage of the incredible opportunity you have at CU ������ý����. Fill your schedule with a compendium of responsibilities you are genuinely excited about. Wake up Monday morning with that delightful anxiety and excitement as you see how busy the week ahead is.

Few have ever looked back on college and said, “I wish I had done less.”

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Mari Sippel

Sippel has earned a Research Award for her incredible research in the��Precision Laser Diagnostics Laboratory, led by Professor��Greg Rieker. Since her sophomore year, she has progressed from organizing the workshop to conducting complex research that requires precise data acquisition and the use of specialized cameras. Her dedication to consistency ensures that each test provides reliable data for further analysis.

Sippel has taught herself Python and mastered advanced data acquisition methods. While her work involves projects for 3M, the broader impact of her research supports the development of more accurate simulations in the field of fluid dynamics. Sippel’s nominator says she is actively involved in the formal dissemination of her research and is currently in the process of writing a paper for publication.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

This summer, I will be interning at Lerch Bates, an engineering consulting company in Golden. Additionally, I am considering staying at CU ������ý���� for my master's degree starting in the fall.��

CEAS helped me prepare by connecting me with��Katherine McConnell and the MCEN Professions class, which helped me with my resume and networking. I also got my research position through her email list with job opportunities.��

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Get involved in something outside of class! For me, it was the swim/dive team and research. It was great for meeting new people and learning new things.��