Alyssa Garcia, a 2016 graduate of Lapeer High School and winner of the prestigious Dean List award for excellence in robotics, is featured in a publication produced by Kettering University in Flint. Alyssa is majoring in mechanical engineering at Kettering, home to one of the top programs in the country.

In the feature, she talks about her experience in robotics and how it has served her throughout her academic career:

Garcia never regrets her choice to get involved in robotics at a young age. When in high school she promoted FIRST and robotics to middle school students, especially trying to get more females involved and interested in pursuing STEM careers.

She continues to be a FIRST mentor and coach elementary robotics teams, while volunteering at events.

“I think it’s something that surprises people, to be involved in robotics and really enjoy it. Anyone can do it. If you can hold a tool in your hand, you can do it,” Garcia said.

Through robotics, Garcia has learned teamwork and how to be a gracious competitor, helping anyone who needed it regardless if they were on another team. She also learned how to act in a professional setting.

And Garcia continues to pursue ambitious goals. One day, she hopes to be an astronaut.

Being a minority female in the STEM field hasn’t always been easy, Garcia said. But she’s been surrounded by people who support her dreams and she hopes she can do the same for others.

Alyssa was a member of the Lapeer Chimeras – Team 1684. She accepted the Dean’s List Award in St. Louis at the World Championships in 2015. She is also a recipient of the Youth Citizen of the Year Award.

We are very proud of Alyssa and we cannot wait to see what the future hold for her. Keep it up!

Read the entire feature written by Sarah Schuch on the Kettering website.