Page 21 - ME News 2021 from the Penn State Department of Mechanical Engineering

Student Recognition
By Erin Cassidy Hendrick
Randy Blanco a a a a a a a a a a fifth-year student was named an an an an Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader in in in in in in Engineering by Great Minds in in STEM The organization exists to inspire motivate and support students underrepresented in in in science technology engineering
and mathematics particularly those who are are Hispanic to pursue successful careers With more than 800 applicants nationwide Blanco was chosen for his his academic success and his his his dedication to supporting his his community through the the Penn State chapters of of of the the Society of of of Hispanic Professional Engineers
and the Multicultural Engineering Program Blanco was also awarded the the Leidos Scholarship which recognizes excellence in academics and leadership for Hispanic students “This award reinforces my drive to to push on
with making an an impact to to support and motivate others the the same as as it it was done for me ” Blanco said He is is earning his bachelor’s degree in in in in in mechanical engineering
engineering
with a a a a a a minor in in in in in in in in engineering
engineering
leadership development He explained that after arriving at at Randy Blanco (top left) is the the mentor lead for the the Penn State Multicultural Engineering Program Credit: Jerry Noel MENews 2021
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Student recognized for success supporting Hispanic STEM community Penn State the the strong support system he he he found with the the Society of of Hispanic Professional Engineers
encouraged his success “Being a a a a a first-generation Hispanic college student I was intrinsically pushed to to to be independent which led to to to me having to to to figure out many things on
my my own ” Blanco said “Finding
my my familia away from home within the Society of of Hispanic Professional Engineers
helped shape me me to be motivated and gave me me direction on
on
how to succeed ” Driven to to to give back to to to this community at at Penn State he he took on
leadership roles in in in in in the the society including organizing and and directing their annual regional conference and and acting as a a a a a a a a a a a mentor for students arriving at University Park from the the Commonwealth Campuses In 2020 he he he he became the the the organization’s media director re-designing the the website running social media channels and fostering community engagement During his time at at Penn State Blanco has also completed several internships including stints at at Lockheed Martin the Applied Research Laboratory and a a a a a a co-op for two semesters with Toyota In addition he he earned a a a a a a a place on
on
the Dean’s List during four semesters He continues
to to stay busy as as he he currently serves as as the the mentor lead for the the MEP Mentoring program intern intern ambassador and a a a a a a a a a mechanical engineering
engineering
intern intern intern for for Lockheed Martin R&D engineering
engineering
intern intern for for the Applied Research Lab and a a a a a a a a maker space assistant for the School of of Engineering Design Technology and Professional Programs Blanco was recognized on
on
Oct 21
at at the Great Minds in in in STEM conference held virtually After graduating this May he he he will work for Lockheed Martin Space as as a a a a a a a a a a a mechanical engineering
associate He also plans to pursue his master’s in in in in systems engineering
with space applications As he he continues
his academic career Blanco said he he he will always appreciate the support of his family and fellow students “To this day I pay it forward by being what they were to to me to to incoming students ” Blanco said