The Mason Spirit

Name: Kaala Evans

Major: Bioengineering

Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Organizational Theory: Evans was a commuter student her first two years at Mason, so she participated in a lot of clubs to meet fellow students. “It’s a good way to network and meet people. In science, you need people around you as a support system to help you through the classes.”

Queen of Clubs: The astonishing number of science student organizations on campus gave Evans ample opportunities to network and meet people. This year, she is the programs director of the National Society of Black Engineers and a member of the Physics Club, Math Club, Bioengineering Club, Leadership Diversity Academy, VA-NC Alliance for Minority Participation, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Getting a Foot in the Door: Last summer, Evans interned at Booz Allen Hamilton, the huge technology consulting firm. She now works there part time as an intern in its Strategy and Organization Unit on Mondays and Wednesdays. Evans says she hopes to work as a consultant at a firm such as Booz Allen Hamilton, working with health care clients after graduation.

Tackling the AIDS Epidemic: In the long term, though, Evans hopes to continue on to medical school with the goal of becoming a medical researcher. “It sounds corny, but when I was younger I just had this vision of myself helping find a cure for AIDS,” she recalls. Her uncle has multiple sclerosis, so she says she would like to “contribute to the ongoing fight against that type of disease.”

Going Global: Evans hopes to study abroad next year in either Africa or South America. “For engineering, everyone wants to go to Europe, but I’d rather go somewhere else.” Right now, a three-week course in South America over winter break has caught her eye.

Logical Choice: The fact that the Washington, D.C., area is a hot spot for bioengineering internships and job possibilities definitely played a role in Evans choosing Mason. “I applied to eight schools in high school, and Mason was the most logical choice. It is affordable, it is not too far from home, and it is so close to D.C., that there are many job opportunities.”