Seven graduating seniors from the UC Santa Barbara’s College of Engineering (COE) have been named Outstanding Seniors in the Class of 2024-’25. They were nominated by their departments based on academic excellence, which includes not only having one of the highest grade point averages in their graduating cohort, but also having pursued other meaningful activities — academic and extracurricular — during their time at UCSB.
This year’s Outstanding Seniors are Changxuan Yang (chemical engineering), Tien Nguyen (computer engineering), Tianle Yu (computer science), Jacob Fingerman (computer science), Will Corcoran (computer science), Jordan Prescott (electrical engineering), and Selena Deng (mechanical engineering). Yang, Nguyen, Yu, Prescott, and Deng were selected by the college to represent their departments as banner carriers who will lead the line of graduates into the ceremony for the COE Undergraduate Commencement, which will take place at 1 PM on Friday, June 13, on the Commencement Green.
Learn more about this year’s Outstanding Seniors below.
Mechanical Engineering
Selena Deng has made the most of her time at UCSB. She worked as a campus tour guide for the Gaucho Tour Association, studied abroad for a quarter at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and became active in the UCSB chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, serving as internal vice president. She also participated in undergraduate research, working on high-velocity vine robots in the lab of mechanical engineering associate professor Elliot Hawkes, who has received widespread recognition for his work on such technology.
Deng said that her most memorable and rewarding experience was serving as team lead for a project in Panama with the UCSB chapter of Engineers Without Borders.
“We successfully got water running through a community-wide water system that we built in the remote community of Valle Escondido, Panama,” she said. “It was so cool to see how happy the community members were and how they celebrated with us. The experience allowed me to really see the impacts that my skills could have on others, and I’m excited to hopefully get to continue to work on projects that can create a positive impact on others.”
Deng will graduate with honors, meaning she ranks among the top 20 percent of her class, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. For her significant contributions and accomplishments inside and outside of the classroom, Deng was selected as the 2024-’25 Outstanding Senior of Mechanical Engineering.
“I was honestly really surprised when I found out, but I am extremely proud that my efforts have been recognized and that I might have been able to make a positive impact during my time here,” said Deng, who will also serve as a banner carrier and lead the Class of 2025 into commencement.
She will begin pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins University in the fall, most likely with a focus in biomechanics. Though a bit apprehensive about relocating to the East Coast, Deng says that her experience at UCSB has prepared her for success.
“I’ve been able to take so many different classes, interact with so many people, and be exposed to new experiences. It’s allowed me to figure out what I really want to do, and now I get to try and pursue it,” said Deng, who went on to thank mechanical engineering faculty and staff, including associate dean Glenn Beltz, Hawkes, assistant teaching professor Geoffrey Tsai, R&D engineer Kirk Fields, and lecturer Trevor Marks, for their support and advice over the years.