Ten students were announced in early February as the 2025 Knights of St. Patrick awardees for their demonstration of “leadership, excellence in character, exceptional contribution to the College of Engineering and its students.” The Knights of St. Patrick is a prestigious honor awarded by The Grainger College of Engineering annually to acknowledge students for their academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. Two of the ten students selected for this year's cohort are students from the Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering Department, Yara Aoun and Geo Qadri. We caught up with them to learn more about their experience on campus and within the ISE program.
Yara Aoun | Systems Engineering and Design, Business Integration and Consulting
Q. Why did you choose Illinois and the Grainger College of Engineering?
I chose UIUC because of its strong engineering program, diverse student community, and endless opportunities for hands-on learning. Coming from Lebanon, I wanted to study in an environment that would challenge me academically and personally, and UIUC’s resources, global network, and collaborative culture made it the perfect choice.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a degree in ISE?
I've always been interested in problem-solving and improving efficiency. ISE stood out to me because it combines technical knowledge with real-world applications in operations, logistics, and business strategy. I was especially drawn to how interdisciplinary the field is—I love learning a bit about different branches of engineering and seeing how they connect to create efficient systems.
Q. Can you share an internship experience that has been particularly meaningful to you? What did you learn?
One of the most meaningful experiences was my internship at a leading beer company, where I worked on improving operational efficiency. It was a great opportunity to see how engineering principles apply to large-scale production. I learned the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement in a real-world setting.
Q. What are your career goals after graduation?
I aim to work in operations and supply chain, where I can apply my problem-solving skills to optimize efficiency in businesses. Through my coursework and certifications in Lean and Six Sigma, I’ve developed a strong interest in process improvement, logistics, and strategy development. Long-term, I’d love to work in a role that combines engineering, business, and leadership, driving impactful change within organizations.
Q. What advice would you give to incoming students in the program?
Get involved early and take advantage of every opportunity! UIUC and the ISE department offer so many resources, from career fairs and student organizations to research and internships. Building connections with professors, upperclassmen, and alumni can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Also, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—you learn the most when you challenge yourself!
Geo Qadri | Systems Engineering, Autonomous Systems and Robotics
Q. Why did you choose Illinois and Grainger College of Engineering?
I chose UIUC because I felt I would have the best support system here with the ARISE program.
Q. What has been your favorite course so far and why?
My favorite course so far has been SE 400 (Engineering Law). I feel this course provides important insight on how the legal system operates in relation to engineering. I feel the knowledge I obtained in this course can be applied in any discipline I'm involved in post college.
Q. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities, clubs, or organizations? If so, how have they enhanced your experience?
I'm involved in the following programs: MEP (Morrill Engineering Program, ARISE (Academic Redshirt in Science and Engineering), CARE (Center for Academic Resources in Engineering), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) and Illini Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. All of these different groups I’m a part of have helped me grow throughout my time in college in different ways. They all require me to take on different challenges and responsibilities which improves my social skills.
Q. What advice would you give to incoming students in the program?
Take on new opportunities and stay open minded. Don’t value yourself based on your comparison to others.