Building the road to a bright future: Maddie Richards’ Honors College journey fuels her civil engineering ambitions

Maddie Richards is driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in her community as she pursues her civil engineering degree at The University of Akron (UA).

Inspired by pre-engineering classes she took at Hilliard Davidson High School through Project Lead the Way, and a conversation with a real civil engineer, Richards discovered a passion for designing projects that directly benefit society.

“What I love about civil engineering is the fact that someday I will get to see real people from my community benefit from whatever I designed, whether it’s a water treatment facility, road or bridge,” said Richards, now in her third year. “Every major has a purpose, but I really love how applicable civil engineering is and that I see it everywhere I look.”

Richards is having that passion meet possibility in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science (CEPS), which is empowering her experience beyond the classroom as president of UA’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and as a college ambassador as a member of the Dean’s Team.

And choosing to attend UA was a decision rooted in Richards’ early experiences with the Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College (WHC) when she visited campus and felt an unmistakable sense of belonging.

“It was the Williams Honors College that inspired me to choose The University of Akron,” said Richards. “From the very start, I felt as if the administrators and people that I was working with were genuinely interested in me and my academic success. I didn’t feel like another high schooler in a long list of names, but rather a person who had a future and was trying to determine where to go.”

Building community and excellence in the Honors College

Being an Honors Scholar has played a pivotal role in Richards’ academic and personal growth. She credits it with providing her a strong support system that helps her stay accountable while exploring even more opportunities beyond her civil engineering major, such as serving on the WHC Dean’s Team and representing the institution as a UA Ambassador. She’s also a member of the student organization RooCatholic.

“Being a student in the Honors College keeps me on track,” said Richards. “I automatically had a community that was pushing me to do well in my classes and stay focused. Living on campus in the Honors Complex let me get closer with my friends and be right in the middle of everything happening.”

The interdisciplinary nature of the WHC curriculum has been another highlight of Richards’s experience. Through the Honors Colloquia courses, Richards has gained valuable perspectives from peers in diverse fields. The flexibility of the WHC curriculum has allowed Richards to tailor her academic path to her career goals: She's pursuing a certificate in surveying for civil engineers, which enhances her technical skills and career prospects.

“Because of the flexibility that I have, I’ve been able to add a surveying certificate, as well as get more invested in the WHC and CEPS,” said Richards. “A certificate like this will help broaden my career choices down the road, as well as give me some hands-on learning experiences.”

Looking ahead

There’s another way the WHC has impacted Richards’ life. As an applicant to UA and the WHC, Richards was automatically considered for scholarship awards and was ultimately presented with the Lisle M. Buckingham/Owen O. and Della M. Orr Honors Scholarship, considered to be UA’s most prestigious scholarship.

“The opportunity to receive the Buckingham/Orr Scholarship has been one of the biggest impacts on my life,” said Richards. “Being the youngest of four, I knew that I would be responsible for some of my tuition and now I will be able to graduate debt free and start my career off without that worry. Having the Buckingham/Orr Scholarship as an undergraduate student makes graduate school more affordable down the road.”

Richards is considering pursuing a master’s degree after graduation and becoming a licensed professional engineer, with aspirations to work in the private sector as a project manager. She is confident that her time at UA, particularly within its Honors College, has prepared her to succeed in whichever path she chooses.

“By getting involved and taking advantage of UA’s opportunities, I have been able to meet some knowledgeable professionals who have amazing career advice,” said Richards. “Whether it’s classes that interest you, leadership opportunities, or personal and professional development, there is something for everyone here at UA.”

Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu