Katie Aaronson, of Exton, PA, joined University of Rhode Island’s International Engineering Program as an ocean engineering and Spanish major.
Aaronson is completing her undergraduate degrees and if she could suggest one bit of advice to anyone to make the most of their own experience, it’d be to stay dedicated, but remain open-minded.
“Getting heavily involved in something you’re passionate about like a club or research helps you build organizational and leadership skills, and employers love to see that loyalty and drive. It’s also the best way to make friends and build community.,” said Aaronson. “Even still, it can’t be just work all the time. Make time to step out of your comfort zone and explore all the other cool opportunities available to you while in college. It’s all about finding the balance between commitment and curiosity.”
She managed to do both through various research opportunities and internships, working in Assistant Professor Che-Wei Chang’s Coastal Lab through the URISE program, and Geosyntec Consultants in 2023, Week Marine Inc. in 2024, and IHCantabria when she studied abroad for one year in Santander, Spain at the Universidad de Cantabria from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025. She was also very involved as President and Treasurer of the Engineers for a Sustainable World student organization. Her primary area of research was coastal resilience.
Each semester, she made Dean’s List and was a part of Omega Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi honors societies. She won a University Academic Excellence Award in both Spanish and Ocean Engineering, a recognition only presented to one undergraduate per degree program.
“URI engineering has always recognized my potential and been a community I can rely on,” said Aaronson. “Whether I am struggling or inspired, there were always amazing individuals who make time to listen and guide me towards my goal, recognizing my abilities and making me feel capable.”
“Katie served as a Spanish IEP ambassador and was superb in her role. She garnered a prestigious Beatrice Demers scholarship to pay for her year abroad in Spain and Katie impressed ocean engineering colleagues at IH Cantabria at the University of Cantabria (UNICAN) with her research internship,” said Sigrid Berka, IEP Director.
Aaronson is an older sister and admits that it shows. “I love to mentor, lead and work with people. I care deeply about my community and our joint successes,” said Aaronson. Her love of the outdoors and the beach led to her interest in coastal hydrology and engineering.
This past March, ESW hosted a successful sustainability summit. She credits the team unity, including her successor as President, Christian Gemma, alongside vice president, Westin Palumbo and URI’s new sustainability officer, Dr. Paul Wolff and the rest of the organization’s members. “We put together an amazing event that brought together students and professionals across disciplines in the name of sustainability. It was incredible to see how the event had grown since we started hosting it again my freshman year, when it was done online and was attended by just the students in the club. I was so proud of Christian and Westin and am happy have had the chance to mentor and work with them both.”
Under the Raymond M. Wright Scholarship, she will be starting an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering this fall at URI.
“Katie is one of the top students in her class,” said Professor Stéphan Grilli. “I have no doubt that she will become a leader in the field.”
“I am excited to continue my studies at URI,” said Aaronson. “I’m always aiming to be the best version of myself, and I know I can achieve that here.”