Gabriela Barrera Gutierrez,
West Point

Degree: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
The Stamps Scholarship helped me to gain invaluable experiences and knowledge from around the world. This allowed me to pursue additional research as an undergraduate and contribute to my field of study.

Tell us a piece of wisdom you’ve learned over the past four years.
Go into everything with open-mindedness, patience, candor, tact, and a dedication to learn new things and new people.

Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
My research adviser, Dr. Rebecca Zifchock, has taught me both professional and life lessons that I will carry over into any career. Through travelling to conferences or running research trials, she has pushed me to do the best I can and guided my development. She has shown me it is possible to do it all – family and career.

What’s your favorite Stamps Scholar memory?
My favorite memory was interviewing with Mr. Roe Stamps. Although it was a short interview and a long time ago, I still remember being amazed at how much he knew about me and I could tell he cared about this foundation and my involvement.

What comes next?
I will be attending graduate school at MIT through the NSF and Lincoln Lab Military Fellowships. Then, I will continue my service in the Army.

Please share your favorite inspirational quote.
“Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.” – Kurt Vonnegut