The College of Engineering Student Stories

Meet Shetonde

I was invited to tour UTA last year, and it was an amazing experience. I loved how passionate my tour guides were about engineering at UTA and I wanted to experience it myself. It is also 2.5 hours away from home, so I can visit my family whenever. I love UTA!

I chose engineering because I've loved building things ever since I was a little kid. I went to a STEM academy with a focus on engineering, so I got to work on cool mini projects. I've also interned at Great Lakes Cheese, and that experience deepened my love for engineering.

I chose aerospace engineering because I love flying objects. I flew for the first time in 2017 from Tanzania to the U.S., and it was the most magical thing ever. Every time I see a plane, all the noise around me disappears, and I start admiring it. I want to build my own plane one day, and I believe pursuing aerospace engineering will equip me with the necessary skills to do so.

I'm involved in Freshman Leaders On Campus (FLOC). FLOC is divided into three cohorts, known as Nests, and I captain Nest A. I'm also a Texas Leadership Scholar.

After I get my bachelor's degree, I plan on working for about 5 years and then pursuing my doctorate. By the time I design and build my personal plane, I want to be referred to as Dr. Polepole. After that, I'll travel the world in my own plane, spreading the gospel.