Delaney Foster ‘20 recently graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and will begin working at Microsoft in Redmond, WA, next month. “Through experiences with the robotics team, the rocket team, my senior design project, and internships, I have learned how to problem solve, design solutions, prototype effectively, work in a team, and overcome failure,” Foster says. “It is these kinds of hands-on opportunities that have set me up to succeed in my future career.”
Foster was initially drawn to GW “because of the community in SEAS,” she explains. “SEAS is filled with students who build each other up and help each other succeed,” Foster reflects. “There were also many opportunities for undergraduate students to get hands-on experiences with engineering throughout the school year by participating on various engineering teams and organizations, as well as research opportunities.”
Foster, an A. James Clark Scholar, took full advantage of the opportunities available to her as a student. She even brought new initiatives to the school, working with two classmates to found the GW Undergraduate Review, which she describes as the premier publication of undergraduate research at GW, for which she served as the director of outreach.
Foster was also part of the Alpha Omega Epsilon engineering sorority, the Society for Women Engineers, and a SEASSPAN mentor for first-year students. She also fondly recalls her time as a member of the rocket team. “One of my favorite memories at GW was the Spaceport America Cup in New Mexico following my sophomore year,” Foster says. Additionally, Foster served mechanical lead, vice president, and then president of the robotics team. “The past two years, we competed in the MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) Competition,” she explains. “For this competition, our team built an underwater robot called an ROV (remotely-operated underwater vehicle). I enjoyed my time leading the team, learning together, and testing designing in the machine shop.”