All Voices as One conference empowers WVU community to shape the future

Alumni and student speed networking session at the 2024 All Voices as One conference. (WVU Photo/Megan Rinker) 

The Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University welcomed a vibrant gathering of students, faculty, staff, and alumni for the "All Voices as One: Together We Shape and Innovate the Future" conference on October 2. This student-led event fostered a dynamic environment for sharing personal, academic, and professional insights, featuring an inspiring guest speaker, engaging speed networking with alumni, and an exciting poster competition.

Story by Paige Nesbit, director of marketing and communications
Photos by Megan Rinker

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Opening remarks from  Pedro Mago , Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College and  Kevin Berry ,  vice president of alumni relations and CEO of the WVU Alumni Association focused on the importance of connections between the Statler College community and alumni, and how alumni engage and participate in the life of the Statler college by mentoring  students.

The keynote lecture “Engineering success story - Pathways to Success - Lessons that Shaped my Career!” was delivered by Kelly Faddis, Managing Director with Accenture Federal Services and WVU alumna. She earned a B.S. in biometric systems and computer engineering in 2005 and an M.S. in electrical engineering in 2007 both from West Virginia University, and her Ph.D. in systems engineering at Southern Methodist University.

In her role at Accenture Federal Services, she manages technical teams delivering expertise in artificial intelligence, operationalized machine learning, applied data science, software development and advanced analytic solutions for the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers respectively.

(l-r) Dr. Kelly Faddis (WVU Photo/Rinker)

Faddis took the audience on a personal journey paved with important lessons she learned from early on, as a student navigating the new world of biometrics engineering, to the professional who today was standing at the podium.  For Faddis, finding purpose has been an ongoing dynamic process driven by self-motivation. Her personal journey is deeply rooted in a quest to be an agent of change where, where, despite the hardships, she learnt about resilience, empathy and the importance of community.

“Over the past decade, I had the pleasure to care for, enable and empower others,” stated Faddis. “And what I've found is that it’s critically important to have diversity of perspective on your teams, whether that diversity of perspective comes from the program that you came from, or the upbringing that you came from, the country that you came from, whatever that may be … I found that it’s critically important in building successful and effective teams.”  

Faddis’s experiences demonstrated determination, perseverance and the importance of connections and relationships within her professional and personal circles.

The student committee, comprised of biomedical engineering graduate students Huy Pham, Hassan Alkhadrawi, Negar Fahang Doost and undergraduate biomedical engineering student Amirah Mitchell, and the graduate student in materials, mechanical and aerospace engineering Artemis Gabrielle who worked with the Office of the Dean and the Associate Dean for Student, Faculty and Staff Engagement,  Cerasela Zoica Dinu.

(l-r) Hassan Alkhadrawi, Huy Pham, Amirah Mitchell, Negar Fahang Doost  (WVU Photo/Rinker)

“Dr. Dinu and the team I worked with were very supportive and easy to work with, which made it a memorable experience to me. I felt so blessed to be able to give back to the Statler College,” stated Alkhadrawi. “The experience strongly motivated me to be part of future activities and events at the Statler College.” 

As one of the original organizers of this conference and each subsequent event, Mitchell takes pride in the growing involvement and participation over the years.

“The experience every year is more fulfilling and more engaging,” Mitchell stated.  

Following the keynote lecture, the event provided a unique platform for students to connect with accomplished alumni from different private and federal sectors in a speed networking event. Participating alumni included: 

- Keith Hess, (retired) Center of Excellence Chemtura Corporation

- Stacy Downey, Director of Human Resources Trilogy Innovations, Inc.

- Oliver Weigand, Software Development Engineer at Amazon

- Alixandra Wagner, Senior Scientist Viatris

- John Mazzone, (retired) engineering executive American Electric power

- John McCune, Systems Engineer, Redstone Technology Integration, INC.

“The most impactful moment for me during speed networking was when alumnus Oliver Wiegand has asked me: ‘Is there anything I can help you with?’ It was a very simple question, but it left me speechless!” exclaimed Alkhadrawi. “It felt different to have someone approach me with a smile and offering help. It made me feel supported to ensure my success.”

According to Mitchell, these conferences significantly impacted her academic experience and boosted her confidence.

“In my first year, I struggled to talk to alumni, feeling like I didn’t belong in the same room as them. I thought I had nothing to contribute. Now, I realize that wasn’t true; our alumni are welcoming and genuinely want to support and guide us as students,” Mitchell said.

The event concluded with showcase poster session spanning categories of research, teaching, service and outreach activities in Statler College. Organizations and student groups entered 36 posters to the competition which was judged by the panel of alumni.

“I'm really inspired by this generation's desire to make a broad impact and change the world for the better,” Faddis said. “I like the way that they think about engineering. ‘How do I solve a problem that will impact people’s lives?’ ‘How do I make energy more efficient and cheaper?’ ‘How do I impact the world?’ And that's a different mindset than I think was present when I was here. We were less altruistic. Now, I get the impression students are more focused on making that global impact.”

The winners of the poster competition included Kaveh Askari, mining engineering, David Williams Rogers, aerospace engineering, Nishan Adhikari, industrial engineering masters student, Manikanta Grandhi and Nishat Binte Alam, PhD candidates in industrial engineering and Austin Jarrel, PhD candidate in civil engineering. 

Winners of the poster competition (l-r)  Kaveh Askari, David Williams Rogers, Nishan Adhikari, Manikanta Grandhi and Nishat Binte Alam and Austin Jarrel . (WVU Photo/Rinker)

“I believe that All Voices as One conference has a great impact in allowing students to establish a closer dialect with the Statler College resources which certainly will benefit the students and the entire Statler College community,” Alkhadrawi stated.

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