Mechanical & nuclear engineering student awarded Online Masters College Graduate Scholarship
Jocelyn Alvarez will use the support to pursue a Master’s of Science in Engineering Management at the VCU College of Engineering
By Jena Salem
Graduate student Jocelyn Alvarez from the Department of Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering was recently honored with Bold.org’s Online Masters College (OMC) Graduate Scholarship.
Receiving this scholarship will lessen the financial burden on Alvarez’s shoulders, allowing her to focus on her goals to advance nuclear technologies, expand international collaboration and mentor the next generation of underrepresented STEM leaders. She also detailed her own experience as a first-generation student and female engineer.
“I hope to bridge the gap between the evolving energy landscape while advocating for the surrounding communities,” said Alvarez. “I have come to realize that one of the most important parts of an engineering project isn’t just the technical aspect, it’s also the people. During my pursuit of my Master’s of Science in Engineering Management, I hope to hone in on my essential skills to close the space between engineering, advanced technology and the public in an integrated way.”
As an undergraduate at VCU, Alvarez worked in various global industries, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, high-speed bakery equipment manufacturing and nuclear design and construction. Having the opportunity to work at nearby companies let her apply her studies in the real world. All these factors played a role in her decision to pursue a career in engineering management. Alvarez expressed her time at the College of Engineering challenged her as a student and a leader. It encouraged her to refine her strong points and recognize what she could improve.
“It truly challenged my strengths and weaknesses in academia and leadership. As the first in my family to pursue education beyond middle school, I struggled a lot during my undergraduate degree. Having professors who would sit down and go through homework and exam problems showed me the importance of knowledge transfer. I’ve had professors who were intentional in stretching my weaker areas to create growth in my technical knowledge, yet brought out my strengths to create space for me to shine,” said Alvarez.
Through her studies, Alvarez acquired the technical competencies necessary to address complex engineering problems and gained a high-level understanding of project design, execution and oversight. Her academic preparation included mechanical design, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, complemented by coursework in lean manufacturing, engineering law, engineering project management and product development. These areas of study established a strong foundation in core engineering principles and prepared her to confront critical challenges within the nuclear sector.
With her colleagues, she also co-founded the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at VCU (SHPE-VCU) chapter. Initiatives such as Dia de Ciencas were established by this organization, as well as professional development workshops with various industry partners. Through SHPE-VCU, Alvarez was able to interact with peers from different engineering disciplines, network with different employers and universities across the nation, and create lifelong friendships. She continues to stay active as an alumni to guide current students on their path.
Alvarez now works at Bechtel Corporation as a Plant Design & Piping Engineer on the Natrium Demonstration Project, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). She prepares, coordinates and maintains piping and valve technical specifications; piping material class sheets/specifications and material requisitions; technical bid evaluations; and award recommendations for various non-nuclear and nuclear safety related systems throughout the plant. She also manages supply chain and construction functions as well as relationships with various industry suppliers and manufactures regarding the technical requirements of purchase orders. It was at a SHPE National Convention that Alvarez met representatives of the global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company.
Apart from her technical role, Alvarez is also passionate about building connections across cultures and disciplines to shape a more resilient, sustainable energy future through mentorship. She serves in leadership positions with North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) and U.S. Women in Nuclear (U.S. WiN) and International Atomic Energy Agency Lise Meitner Programme (IAEA-LMP) to advocate for professional development, diversity and inclusion across the nuclear industry.
While developing as a young engineer, Alvarez plans to foster international collaboration in the industry by traveling to different conferences around the globe to present and moderate sessions.
The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From applying material science to additive manufacturing techniques to optimizing coolant systems for nuclear reactors and more, students gain understanding of many important engineering topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Graduate Student Stories, Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering, Student Stories