Motivation, dedication key to Narayan’s studies
Suguna Narayan redefines what it means to be a motivated student.
At the age of 20, Narayan is working towards a degree in chemical engineering with an added supplement in bioengineering. She is also working towards a minor in biochemistry as well as a certificate in the President’s Leadership Class.
Narayan continues her work as a teacher’s assistant for Janet De Grazia in her Intro into Engineering Computing classes.
“I have really enjoyed having Suguna as a TA,” De Grazia said.
“She is reliable, conscientious and knowledgeable and fun.”
Not only is Narayan obtaining a degree with a supplement, a minor and an added certificate, she is finishing this year.
A full year early.
What most students cannot do in the standard four years, Narayan is doing in three.
“Suguna is a very committed individual,” said Suguna’s roommate Kristina Wang, a junior aerospace engineering sciences major. “She may have been humble about her accomplishments, but the truth is that she has achieved a lot.”
Narayan also already has plans with her multiple degrees.
“I’m very interested in medical research and that is why I’m getting an engineering degree,” Narayan said. “I’m interested in new engineering techniques that combat medical problems, injuries and disease that we haven’t been able to (fight) in the past.”
As well as being highly motivated in engineering, Narayan has a variety of other talents. She is fluent in two languages, English and Telugu, which is typically spoken and southern India, and is also working on learning Spanish.
“I love languages and I want to study as much as I can,” Narayan said. “I want to study abroad in South America to improve my Spanish skills and see engineering in other countries.”
Even though she will have enough credits to finish school this year she has a scholarship that covers four years, which allows her to expand her class schedule and have a little flexibility in her last year.
“I would love to take a creative writing class, a couple of music classes and I would love to take one of the dance classes,” Narayan said.
With the little free time she has, Narayan still keeps herself busy.
“She’s passionate about being active in the community,” Wang said. “She volunteers her time at Race for the Cure every year, and is involved in the (University of Colorado Engineering Council). She also still manages to spend time with her family and friends.”
Narayan is involved with artistic activities as well.
“I (participate in) classical Indian dance, classical Indian vocal music and I like crafts,” Narayan said. “I do a lot of knitting and that sort of thing, too.”
When she knits, Narayan sometimes creates clothing items for children in domestic abuse shelters.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Cameron Naish at cameron.naish@colorado.edu
