Mechanical Engineering Students Recognized with 2025 CSE Community Impact Awards

Three outstanding ME students have been honored with the 2025 College of Science and Engineering Community Impact Awards, recognizing their leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

The Community Impact Award celebrates students, faculty, and staff who go above and beyond to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within CSE. This year’s ME awardees are:

Pauly Soulia – Graduate Student Award
Pauly has made a lasting impact through his leadership as co-chair of the ME Graduate Council’s DEI committee. ME graduate student Jenn Hoody shared in her nomination:

“Pauly has played a vital role in developing UN Sustainable Development workshops, organizing international Thanksgiving potlucks, founding the UMN chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and creating outreach programs to inspire middle school girls in STEM. His dedication to community-building and expanding access to STEM demonstrates his leadership and care for diversifying the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Shivangi Pandey – Undergraduate Student Award
Shivangi’s leadership as President of the Science and Engineering Student Board and She is ME has strengthened student connections and advocacy efforts. Roslyn Englund, Recruitment, Retention & Community Coordinator, noted in her nomination:

“Shivangi has consistently taken on greater leadership roles, from organizing department town halls to planning networking events and hands-on workshops connecting faculty research to students. Her dedication has fostered community, mentorship, and opportunity for women in mechanical engineering. Every year, she challenges herself to grow as a leader and works tirelessly to make the student experience better for all.”

Nefertari Moor – Undergraduate Student Award
Nefertari has supported students as a mentor and leader through the President’s Emerging Scholars program and the Emerge summer program. Calla Brose, CSE Student Engagement Coordinator, reflected in her nomination:

“Nefertari’s commitment to guiding first-year students, building leadership skills, and volunteering as a panelist has uplifted her peers and created a stronger, more connected campus community. Her warm and enthusiastic spirit is undeniable, and she has quickly emerged as a young leader within CSE and across the wider University.”

The ME department congratulates these inspiring student leaders for their contributions to making CSE a more inclusive and welcoming place for all.