news

Student Spotlight: Alendria Prioleau

Primary tabs

Alendria Prioleau, a bright, entrepreneurial 4th year ISyE undergrad, has won numerous awards and scholarships for her high academic standing, exceptional scholarship, and her leadership capabilities.

At the 2008 Student Honors Program alone, she received five awards including the Briaerean Scholarship Cup for being the graduating senior co-op student with the highest grade point average; the Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers Faculty Advisor Excellence Award for outstanding scholarship and leadership capabilities; the Joe T. LaBoon Outstanding Graduating Senior Co-op Award for being the outstanding graduating co-op student who has excelled in the classroom and on the job, and who has made exemplary contributions to the co-op program; the Kurt Salmon Associates Scholarship in Industrial and Systems Engineering for academic merit; and The Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Minorities/Women Scholarship. These are but a few of her acknowledgements for outstanding achievement. During 2007 * 2008, she also received the Women in Engineering General Motors Scholarship, the OMED Silver Tower Award, First Place in the Regional NSBE Academic Tech Bowl Team, a GTSBE Chapter Executive Board Member of Excellence Award, the General Motors Minority Engineering and Science Scholarship, the General Electric African American Forum Scholarship, the Caterpillar Logistics ISyE Scholarship, the Shaw Industries Academic Scholarship, and the Convergys Scholarship.

Alendria entered Georgia Tech's Cooperative Education (Co-op) program in the summer of 2005 to work for UPS Supply Chain Solutions, offering her the opportunity to work on an alternating semester basis while earning academic credit. Alendria completed her co-op experience last summer and is presently interning for AT&T Global Network Operations. She will graduate this December with the Co-op Distinction.

What piqued your interest in becoming an industrial engineer? I decided I wanted to become an engineer in 10th grade mostly because my favorite math teacher at the time told me that they make a lot of money. My interest in industrial engineering piqued when I received a Georgia Tech flier in the mail boasting the school's number 1 ranking. I loved statistics, calculus, and CS in high school; so I figured it would be a perfect fit.

Favorite ISyE professor? Professor Christos Alexopoulos. He is a good teacher, very understanding of the students, and tells good jokes as well.

Favorite ISyE course? Dr. Erera's ISyE 3103 Supply Chain Logistics. This was a fairly challenging class, but it coordinated so well with what I was doing with my co-op job.

Most interesting co-op experience? Participating in a live online carrier bid (like Ebay, only better).

Prospective career goals? I really liked the work I did at UPS. I'd like to focus on supply chain and transportation logistics. I enjoy hands-on kind of work and can picture myself working in a warehouse or dock. One day, I'd like to start my own business. When I was in my early years of high school, I wanted to be an accountant or financial adviser. Even though I switched to engineering, I still enjoy both. There are a lot of people who don't have a lot of money because they were not taught how to manage it. So I wouldn't mind working for a non-profit or even volunteering as a financial adviser for low income families to teach those skills.

Biggest achievement? Diminishing my fear of public speaking.

Non-academic interests? Salsa and ballroom dancing, playing the piano, real estate investing, shopping, & watching movies

Family? Mom and Dad (high-school sweethearts) and an older brother (25 and single). I also have 20 aunts, 5 uncles, lots of first cousins, and a great grandmother.

Last book you read for pleasure? Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

What's in your mp3 player? R&B and Reggaeton Hits from 2007

Favorite spot on campus? The Student Center in the sitting area upstairs by WREK radio

Junior's or The Varsity? Junior's.

Is there any one person who has been an inspiration to you or someone that you consider your hero? Other than my parents, Jarret Lafleur, my mentor from the Yellow Jacket Marching Band has been a great inspiration to me during my time here at Tech. He convinced me that I really could make straight A's in college, co-op, and graduate within 5 years (and also added a class to my schedule freshmen year, first semester insisting "you can handle it*).

Best piece of advice you ever received? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Status

  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Barbara Christopher
  • Created:06/16/2008
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016