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Katherine O'Reilly SEAS’23

Katherine O'Reilly SEAS’23

Award Recognition

Inclusion and Advocacy
School of Engineering and Applied Science Student Activities Award
Katherine O'Reilly, a First-Generation Low-Income Latina student from Miami, is being recognized for her exceptional commitment to promoting inclusion and advocating for students through her leadership roles at Columbia University. Studying mechanical engineering with a focus on robotics and automotive applications, Katherine has been an active member of various Engineering communities on campus. She has served as a Superuser in the Makerspace, Undergraduate Researcher in the Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Lab, and Mechanical Engineering Chief for the Formula Racing team. Katherine's dedication to teaching and mentoring other students has made these spaces more accessible and welcoming for those who want to learn and explore new opportunities. She has also been a strong advocate for first-gen, low-income, and Hispanic students, encouraging them to apply for extracurricular opportunities, and internships, and providing support for career development. Katherine's efforts have resulted in increased diversity and inclusion within the Formula Racing team, earning them several prestigious awards, including the "General Motors Everybody's In" award for diversity and inclusion. Katherine is honored to be recognized for her commitment and passion for making multiple spaces at Columbia welcoming for all and plans to bring this same energy to her next journey as a GEM Fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
It is an honor to receive this award for my contributions to the Columbia community. Thank you to all of my friends, family, and mentors who have all been incredibly important to my journey. I am forever grateful to everyone who has played a part in my time at Columbia and will continue to take everything I have learned with me to my next journey. Gracias a todos y sigue echándole ganas!