Name: Alison Cramer
Hometown: Ashburn, Va.
Year: Senior
Major: Chemical engineering
High School: Stone Bridge High School

Alison Cramer knew that she wanted to study engineering. She wasn't sure where. But her parents, both of whom had been in the Air Force and had served at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, suggested that Alison consider Carolina.

The campus fit her desire to study at a university located in a city. "Many universities with engineering programs are located in smaller towns," she said. "I wanted to go to college in a place where I could enjoy the things that a city offers."

After considering computer and electrical engineering, Alison chose chemical engineering because she loved the challenges of chemistry and the opportunities that chemical engineers have to work in the business world because she plans to pursue an MBA.

At Carolina, Alison has become involved in the Society of Women Engineers help young women in middle and high schools realize that engineering is a career choice with a great future.

"Engineering is a cool discipline if you like math and science," said Alison, who is the SWE president.

Too many young women don't see engineering as a viable major and are intimidated by the field that has been dominated for decades by men. "But women are perfectly capable of being engineers, too," she said. "Students just need positive reinforcement, and our organization is working to help them realize the opportunities that exist for them."