Jenny Li’s life has been full of firsts: first-born child to Chinese immigrants; first cohort member of the Virginia Tech Pathways for Future Engineers Program, and first-generation college student.

Now, she can add another first to her list – being named the 2024 Outstanding Senior by the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Her journey to the engineering discipline, however, wasn’t quite as trailblazing. In fact, it was much like other Hokie engineering students’.

“I took apart a lot of TVs and VCRs,” said Li, who majors in computer engineering. “And I accidentally blew up my microwave once.”

IEEE at VT Board members Shreya Balaji, Akshara Ravi, Jenny Li, Jack Orr and Haley Rindfleish stand at an ECE tailgate with Dr. Scott Dunning, their advisor.
From left to right, Shreya Balaji, Akshara Ravi, Jenny Li, Dr. Scott Dunning, Jack Orr and Haley Rindfleish. Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers at VT Board members stand at an ECE tailgate with their advisor. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

Li was inspired to pursue engineering as a possible career when an environmental engineer visited her elementary school classroom, and explained to the class how to build different kinds of dams. There was something about how the dams came together that clicked for Li.

But it was a special invitation to join the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) as a member of the first cohort of Pathways students that brought her to Virginia Tech. 

“The camp helped me see I could go to college, and be an engineer,” Li said. “Coupled with my family’s encouragement, it made Virginia Tech – a school with a great engineering program – an easy choice.”

In addition to support from CEED, Li has received several scholarships, including the Zord and Gilmer Warfield, Mckenzie Family, and the Daniel and Elizabeth Talbert scholarships, and the RaiseMe program, which assists Virginia high-school students in earning funding towards college through measures like good grades and community service.

ECE computer engineering student Jenny Li presents her senior capstone project at the Major Design Expo.
At right, Jenny Li presents her senior capstone project at the ECE major design expo on April 17. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.
Jenny Li and her group presents their project at the Major Design Expo.
Li's expo project was "Early Failure Detection of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Gas Sensing." The project received an award for best of their track. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

That She May Serve

Li is a true Hokie. For all the support she’s received, she’s given much back, all starting with her time in the Living-learning community Hypatia, a space for first-year women engineering students to connect and build a support network.

“Living in Hypatia, having peer mentors, made a difference in my first year here,” said Li, “so I became a peer mentor, too. I enjoyed that role. I've had to adapt to different environments, schools, even countries, so I was able to support their educational journeys.”

Li continued her leadership roles as a resident assistant, peer academic coach at the Student Success Center, and president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) at Virginia Tech. Her lengthy academic resumé also includes:

As a busy engineering student – who’s maintained a position on the dean’s list almost every semester – Li has a simple trick for keeping herself on track, one she’s used since she was a young girl.

“A lot of caffeine,” Li joked. “But really, I’m great at time management. I use my calendar every day. It’s all color-coded and organized. Plus, I only sign up for what I know I will really commit to.”

Jenny Li shakes hands with ECE department head Luke Lester at the Heta Lambda Beta society induction.
From left to right, Li shakes the hand of Luke Lester, ECE department head, after receiving her medal at the Heta Lambda Beta society induction. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.
ECE computer engineering student Jenny Li gets sworn into the Heta Lambda Beta society.
Li raises her hand to formally pledge the engineering oath during the Heta Lambda Beta society induction. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

Becoming a Master

Mechanical dissection and career day in third grade influenced Li to go into the field, but her time at Virginia Tech has encouraged Li to push her engineering skills and plans further.

“My career goals revolve around finding innovative and inclusive solutions to engineering problems, while also incorporating a global perspective and a desire to work with diverse teams,” said Li.

She’ll look for those solutions as she studies cybersecurity, wireless, or embedded systems (she’s torn about which to choose) in her master’s non-thesis program through ECE this fall. Li will be supported via CEED’s accelerated master’s program.

And though Li may not have selected her research focus for the fall just yet, she’s grateful she picked Virginia Tech to continue her education.

“Virginia Tech will always feel like home,” Li said, “and whether it’s my academic or professional career, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) is something I will strive to apply in my daily life.”

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