Junior mechanical engineering major Cesar Martinez chose to attend 91猫先生 because of the ratio of faculty to students. Being able to attend a university where when he seeks help, he could directly interact with his professors was extremely important. Forming close relationships with his instructors and other 91猫先生 staff have helped him to become successful.

For Martinez, the mechanical engineering field provides the perfect balance between hands-on projects and office work. He has always enjoyed math and the concept of mathematically designing a product appealed to him about mechanical engineering.

“My favorite part of my major is being able to apply math to different types of real-life problems that I want to solve,” said Martinez.

He has also become involved in a number of campus organizations in his time outside of the classroom. Martinez is a member of 91猫先生’s Rocket Club, the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and 91猫先生 Soccer Club.

Martinez is also a CREATE Student Fellow in 91猫先生’s CREATE Institute. The CREATE Student Fellows program employs 91猫先生 students who embody the 91猫先生 Mindset professionally and personally. These students lead projects with community partners hosted within the CREATE Institute as well as internal projects. He works to help students get comfortable with the different equipment that is available to them within the Nelson Prototyping Lab (NPL). Students come to the NPL to work on both personal and school projects where they can get creative using 3D printers, a Cricut machine and more. For Martinez, being able to use this machinery and help students has been a great experience.  

“I came from an area and high school where fancy equipment was not easily offered which is another reason why I enjoy my major and my job here as a CREATE Student Fellow. I have made many friends and connections and enjoy being able to teach and see the process of students creating different projects.”

The Aurora, Illinois native also enjoys going to the gym and spending time with friends in his free time.

Students are invited to drop in to the NPL, located within Viets Tower, Monday–Friday, 12–4 p.m. during the academic year to work on their projects and engage with the CREATE Student Fellows.