Lleyton E. (IN A NUTSHELL)

Hi! I'm Lleyton, a senior at MIT studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Control, Instrumentation, and Robotics. I'm passionate about using my interests to help people - I hope to continue to a graduate program where I can research medical robotics - and I love being in a teacher/mentor role. In addition to my major, I have a humanities concentration in Music and have done research on autonomous materials discovery for solar cells. Outside of school, I love making music (I've been singing for 11 years and am in an a cappella group on campus), rowing/working out (I rowed in high school and used to be on MIT's team), watching old movies, reading classic novels, and working on random fun projects. I was born in Charlotte, NC, my family now lives in Orlando, FL, and I go to school in Cambridge, MA, so I've lived and explored up and down the east coast!

Many experiences throughout my life shape who I am. This past summer, I was a Vehicle Systems Engineering Intern for Toyota Racing Development right in my old hometown, where I found an appreciation for a fast-paced and professional technical environment. I've also recently been published as a co-author in a paper about my aforementioned research. Otherwise, I was a member of the NAfME All-National High School Choir, have traveled throughout college with friends and family, and have joined communities and found friends from myriad background who have changed my life and broadened my perspective. I say all this because so many things throughout my life have come to me because I was encouraged by a teacher, mentor, or role model of my own. These connections have been so important to me for as long as I can remember, which is part of the reason CC's mission matters to me.

I've found a love for teaching and mentorship throughout my life. My engineering teacher in middle school came to me with an opportunity to help him pass engineering curriculum on to other teachers who were interested in bringing it to their schools. At MIT, I've been on the course staff for various design and robotics classes. Now, I'm a CC mentor who is excited not only to teach my students information, but to bring out their passion and help connect with what makes them tick. I know how many different ways people can learn, and love watching folks discover their love for learning in different ways. I'm extremely excited and thankful to be a mentor!