ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ

Name: Nia Stackmann
From: Guatemala
Program: Sophomore in Environmental Engineering

What first interested you in engineering?

My name is Nia (Annika) Stackmann, and I was born and raised in Guatemala. My interest in engineering started in fifth grade, when we had to give a three-minute presentation on any topic we wanted. I had no idea what to choose, so I went on YouTube looking for interesting topics or recent news.Ìý

I ended up finding a documentary about plastic pollution. I watched the entire hour, and it left me wanting to learn more about the problem and, more importantly, what could actually be done about it.

Over time, my interest in plastic pollution grew into a broader interest in environmental issues, especially climate change and water pollution. In high school, I started looking for ways to explore these interests through science and engineering programs.Ìý

This led me to work on projects involving water pollution, where I could combine my interest in environmental problems with my desire to find tangible, practical solutions.

What started as a random search for a fifth-grade presentation topic eventually became an area I wanted to continue exploring through engineering!

I chose my major while I was applying to college. At the time, I was not completely sure whether I wanted to focus more on environmental policy and science or on environmental engineering and the more active, solution-oriented side of environmental work.Ìý

I started comparing the different majors by looking at their curricula and the types of classes each one involved. I also did research at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ with a chemical engineer the summer before my senior year of high school. That experience helped me realize that I was more interested in the research and problem-solving side of environmental work: understanding a problem and working toward ways to solve it.

Why did you decide to come to ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ?

I decided to come to ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ for college because I was drawn to the Environmental Engineering program and the academic opportunities that come with being at a large research university.Ìý

I wanted to study engineering in a program that would challenge me academically while also giving me opportunities to get involved in research and explore real-world environmental issues.

I was also looking for a big school because, as an international student, I wanted to meet people from different backgrounds and experience a true American college experience.Ìý

ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ offered that combination of strong academics, research opportunities, and a large, active campus.ÌýI also loved the idea of living somewhere with snowy winters while still being in a sunny environment.

I am currently in my sophomore year. I do not have a specific emphasis yet because I am still exploring the different areas within the field. In fact, as I am writing this, we are attending different panels to learn more about the paths available to us and get a better idea of what areas we might want to pursue.

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Stackmann at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Mosca, Colorado.

What do you love about ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ?

What I love most about ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ is how many different experiences are possible here. Even though it is such a big school, I never feel like it is impossible to find my own community. There are so many people to meet, and I can constantly make new friends through classes, clubs, activities, and simply being around campus.

I also love that no two weeks feel exactly the same. One week, I might be focused on classes and an engineering project, while the next I could be going to a football game, spending time with friends, getting involved in Greek life, or taking advantage of everything Boulder has to offer outdoors.Ìý

There are always new things to try and different groups of people to meet, which keeps ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ feeling exciting even after being here for a while.

I love having the freedom to shape my college experience in so many different ways. I also get reminded of home a lot because of the mountains here, since I grew up around volcanoes in Guatemala. ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ gives me the chance to take my academics seriously while making fun memories. That balance is what makes my experience here so special.