Gabriela Herrera ‘20 graduated with a degree in civil engineering and an offer to serve as a field engineer and engineering assistant at Turner Construction in Washington, DC. “I decided to study at SEAS because of the city, but also because I could tell how close and personal the SEAS community seemed right from the beginning,” Herrera reflects. “I was excited to have smaller classes and develop strong relationships with my peers and professors.”
As a student, Herrera served as a mentor through the SEAS Student Peer Advisory Network (SEASSPAN), and appreciated being able to assist first-year students with their transition to college. “I also really enjoyed promoting and helping out at the SEAS events because I really loved the school and the community, so I always enjoyed bragging about us,” she adds. “Plus, the relationship I developed with the advisors and other mentors enhanced my experience at GW even more.”
Outside of SEASSPAN, Herrera served as the Engineer’s Council’s vice president for community outreach and as the chair of community service for Theta Tau, a co-ed professional engineering fraternity. As a senior, Herrera received the Norman B. Ames award in honor of her contributions to SEAS.
Herrera looks forward to her next steps at Turner. She says, “I believe that SEAS prepared me for this opportunity not only by giving me a strong foundation in my education but also in terms of other lessons such as handling large projects, working on a team, developing a good time management practice, and overall using my own skills and knowledge to solve problems.”