Over the next two weeks, as we approach the commencement ceremonies for the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Class of 2025, we will be sharing some senior spotlights of outstanding students from each CEMS department.

Graduating senior Anna Shoudt is a Biomedical Engineering major with minors in Computer Science and Pure Mathematics from Easton, PA.  

How did you choose your major?

I've always wanted to do something with engineering since I was little, but after I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 11, I knew I wanted to improve the lives of people living with diseases, specifically Diabetes. In high school, I discovered Biomedical Engineering and realized it was the perfect way to combine my passion for innovation with something personal to me.

Do you have a memorable research experience from your time in CEE?

One memorable experience was working on the Ticket Home Survey project with Dr. David Jangraw. I was first introduced to the ticket home concept in his BME Core 3 class, where it was used as a reflexive teaching tool. Before the Fall 2024 semester, Dr. Jangraw started to expand his ticket home concept into an inclusive teaching project across CEMS. I had joined the project as a TA to help pilot the survey for any interested instructors. Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, I worked with instructors across multiple departments to implement the ticket home survey into their courses and manage student feedback. The project gave me the chance to strengthen my communication and organization skills, especially when coordinating across so many different schedules and teaching styles. It was also interesting to see how even small changes to instruction, based on student reflections, could make a real difference in the classroom experience. The collaborative and impact-driven nature of this project is what made it so memorable.

Anna took on a leadership role in the new Ticket Home survey system, which helped over a dozen faculty members improve their courses and reached hundreds of students. Anna’s essential job was reading and summarizing student responses for the instructor. The system will be presented at the ASEE annual conference this June, with Anna as a co-author. It could not have been nearly as successful without her support!

- Dr.  David Jangraw
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering

Is there a class or professor who had a significant impact on your academic journey at UVM? 

Biomedical Engineering lecturer Sam Fox had a significant impact on my academic growth and career direction. I first had Sam as a TA during my freshman year BME Design 0 course, and she later became a lecturer for several of my BME courses through my sophomore to senior years. As my classmates and I progressed, we grew alongside her and learned a great deal from her experiences and teaching. She instilled principles and skills in me that I’ll carry into my career and that have shaped the kind of engineer I aspire to be.

Has an internship helped to guide you on your career path?

I was a Mechanical Engineering Intern for Viatris in St. Albans, VT, the summer after my junior year. This internship showed me that I could quickly adapt to unfamiliar roles and environments, which helped me grow both technically and professionally. This internship ultimately led to me getting a job with them after graduation.

I was also a supervisor for UVM Campus Recreation, and this position allowed me to gain leadership, critical thinking, and teamwork skills that I'll carry into my future career. This work experience was also a great opportunity to connect with new people and build lasting connections.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be working as an Associate Engineer for Viatris. My time in CEMS helped prepare me for this role by giving me the chance to explore different areas within my field and build confidence in unfamiliar situations and skills through hands-on projects and courses.

Is there any advice you would share with incoming first-year students?

As cliche as it is, enjoy your time in college and have fun because it goes by very fast. Take advantage of every opportunity you can and don't be afraid to put yourself out there, you'll never know where it could lead.

How do you envision your future in the next five years?

Over the next five years, I hope to pass the FE exam, work towards becoming a licensed professional engineer, and eventually pursue a master's degree. I also want to continue doing work that I love and that inspires me, while maintaining a healthy balance between my career and life outside of work.

What extracurricular organizations and activities did you enjoy at UVM?

My time as a Division 1 athlete for the Women's Swimming and Diving team will always be one of my favorite experiences at UVM. Being a part of this team gave me an opportunity that not everyone can experience, and I'm incredibly grateful for it. This team helped shape who I am today, constantly pushing me to be my best self and giving me lifelong friendships.

I also have served as President of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and as a member of the UVM chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society.