Class of 2023: Nadine Salem
UA graduate leaves a legacy of social justice
Nadine Salem will be the student speaker at the Spring 2023 College of Engineering and Polymer Science Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 1 p.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Nadine will begin her career this summer as an engineer at the Timken Company.
Degree and major: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: North Canton, Ohio
High School: Hoover High School
Parents: Hanya and Jihad Salem
Q: What unique things should we know about you?
A: I am the daughter of Palestinian Muslim parents who have taught me to appreciate our culture and stand up against injustice. I can speak three languages fluently: English, Arabic and Spanish. I also have a cat who loves cheese and has asthma.
Q: Why did you want to go to UA?
A: The University of Akron was my father’s alma mater. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. I knew engineering was the way to go and UA has a great program, so it was an easy decision!
Q: What campus activities were you involved in?
A: During my last year at UA, I served as co-founder and president of Students for Justice in Palestine and president of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honors society. I was also a member of the Muslim Students Association, Women in Engineering and Engineering Student Council. I worked as a Spanish tutor, a mentor in the Zips: Engineered for Success program and an undergraduate research assistant with Gregory Morscher, a UA professor of mechanical engineering. I was also an assistant for the Urban STEM Center and FIRST LEGO League district tournaments.
Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?
A: My favorite UA memory is founding Students for Justice in Palestine. This is a legacy that will outlast me and my co-founders, and I couldn’t be more grateful that we were able to establish a community and a culture like ours on campus. I’ve also met one of my closest friends through this and can’t wait to see where life takes us after graduation.
Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?
A: I am honored to have received the Top 10 Senior award from the Department of Student Life. I have consistently been on the President’s List and will graduate from the Williams Honors College as a summa cum laude scholar.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to start my full-time career this summer at the Timken Company as an application engineer and eventually earn a master’s degree in business administration.