First-generation college student graduates with a MechE PhD from Cornell

 

POSTED ON Oct 19, 2020

 

Marysol Luna is a newly minted graduate in mechanical engineering. She also had one of the most liked posts on LinkedIn a couple of weeks ago. “I recently found out that I am the FIRST self-reported Latina to earn a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University,” she wrote. Official school records date back to 1983, she added.

More than 23,350 people on the business and professional networking online service have reacted to the post so far with ‘Like,’ ‘Praise,’ ‘Empathy,’ ‘Appreciation,’ and ‘Interest’ emojis.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the Latinx community and Women in STEM!,”  Dr. Luna said. “I could not have achieved it without the support of so many individuals and groups that dedicate their time to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“As a first-generation student, who grew up in a low-income immigrant family, earning a Ph.D. was beyond my wildest dreams,” she continued  “I am here to tell you that fighting for minorities and women in STEM makes a difference, and this is proof of that! So to all my Latinas and Women out there, never be afraid to reach for your dreams! —¡Sí Se Puede!”

A high school teacher at Perth Amboy School District said kudos are definitely in order.

“Please, do not forget the many after you that still need help, and…pay it forward, in memory of all of those that helped you,” he urged.

In 2016, Hispanics or Latinos earned 13.5% of science and 10% of engineering bachelor’s degrees, according to recent data from the National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates.

Science and engineering (S&E) fields with the largest Hispanic or Latino representation were psychology (17%), social sciences (15%), and biological sciences (11.5%).

37% of Hispanics or Latinos who received an S&E doctorate between 2013 and 2017 received their bachelor’s degree from a high-Hispanic-enrollment institution whose undergraduate, full-time equivalent student enrollment is at least 25% Hispanic.