Meet the Team

Name: Kate Amrein

Major: Chemical Engineering

Minor: Biology 

Hometown: Nashua, NH

Professional Interests: Biochemical engineering and pharmaceutical operations in biotechnology

I care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI because: I believe that doing so  creates a successful and enjoyable work environment for all the members. Working in a team where you can speak freely about ideas and respect each other allows you to learn and grow as an individual. Having team experience in academics and athletics,  I've seen that fostering  equitable and effect teamwork can transcend the boundaries of a classroom and has learnings that can be applied to everyday life! I'm looking forward to working with teams to create such a work environment!

Name: Gavin David George

Major: Business with a concentration in FinTech / Minor in Data Science

Hometown: Salem, New Hampshire

Academic Interests: Varsity Baseball, Sigma Phi Epsilon, IFC

I care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI because: We our known for our reputation of being a collaborative and group-work institution.

Name: Alice Kelly

Major: Aerospace Engineering, minor in Astrophysics

Hometown: Wethersfield, Connecticut

Academic Interests: Varsity Women's Basketball, High-Powered Rocketry Club (HPRC), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

I care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI because: Learning to be diplomatic and productive in teams is valuable to every aspect of life. SWEET works to ensure that WPI students stand out and excel in any group they participate in, whether it's work, family, or social related. 

Name: Mira Kirschner

Major: Double majoring in Psychological Science and Biology/Biotechnology

Hometown: San Francisco, California

Academic Interests: SEED Lab, Active Minds, Bowling Club, Psychology Society

I care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI because: It’s important to know how to work well with other people and it’s a chance to make new friends. It can make projects more bearable and fun as well as enhance learning.

Name: Lydia Ellen Tonani

Major: Major in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Environmental Engineering (IDM)

Hometown: Holliston, Massachusetts

Academic Interests: I’m interested in Earth and space environments, and I’m involved in the Peer Learning Mentor Program and the WWPI Radio.I care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI because: Teamwork is crucial for students to succeed academically and professionally, and I enjoy helping students achieve their goals.

In Their Own Words

Here's what SWEET Fellow Alumni have to say about why they care about fostering equitable and effective teamwork at WPI: 

Good teamwork is essential in today's world!

Everyone at some point will have to work on a team. Educating people on good communication will create a better overall experience for everyone.

Everyone should have at least one positive team experience before they leave WPI! Learning to collaborate with others, especially those who we may find difficult, is an essential skill for all engineers to have. Learning how to make the process of working in a team, identifying others' strengths, and leveraging those strengths a bit easier, is so fulfilling and valuable. Some of my biggest moments of growth here at WPI involved learning how to navigate working with people whose communication and leadership styles clashed with my own. 
 

In my time at WPI I've been involved with many group projects, as well as executive boards, so I have a lot of experience in what works and what doesn't, so I really want to share what I've learned and help others to create and foster better teams. 

The engineering field operates around the idea of teamwork, and I have been part of teams that do not work well together. I know I am not the only one who has experienced this, which is a problem. I would like to do my part in ensuring that teams can find a way to work equitably, and thus making the WPI experience what it is truly designed to be.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to be on a team where they are appreciated and can be productive.

Throughout my time at WPI I have had plenty of good and bad teamwork experiences, and I would have greatly benefitted from more support surrounding team skills. I want to help improve this experience for other students!

Teamwork is the foundation of all relationships, whether they are personal or work related. Once effective teamwork is established, your interactions with the world become easier!

Working on a team is such an important part of life that I would like to help people better their teamwork skills! 

WPI is all about project-based learning. We do so many group projects here, and I want to help make that process as smooth as possible because everyone deserves to have a great group project experience.

Teamwork is one of the most important skills to learn to be successful with any type of role whether in sports, academics, or work life.

From first-hand experience, I know how difficult working on a team can be when it's uncomfortable, inequitable, and there's poor communication. I think by giving resources and having support available for teams, it can help create a more open environment at WPI to discuss issues with teamwork as they happen, prevent students from being put in uncomfortable situations, and foster some really amazing project work and solutions. 

It's really important to be able to develop communication and teamwork skills  so that we can most effectively work with others to solve any type of problem that might pop up!

The experiences we have now in teams will be applicable to many aspects of life after college (jobs, relationships, etc.).

A good team dynamic can make all the difference.

Teamwork and effective communication are foundational skills that can be used in many areas of life!