Class of 2026: Maggie Campbell exemplifies the power of experiential education
Undergraduate research and leadership roles have prepared her for a career in the U.S. Navy’s civilian workforce.
Name: Margaret "Maggie" Campbell
College: College of Engineering
Major: Ocean Engineering
Minor: Naval Engineering
Hometown: Norfolk, Virginia
Plans after graduation: Completing her master’s degree in ocean engineering through the accelerated master’s program, then serving as a naval architect for the Combatant Craft Division of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock in Bethesda, Maryland.
Favorite Virginia Tech memory: At the International Submarine Races her freshman year, the Human Powered Submarine team’s vessel was struggling. “On the last day, in the final hour of competition, I was piloting our submarine and we made it across the finish line. I remember being pulled from the sub and the whole team was cheering and celebrating. It was a moment I won’t forget.”
Growing up close to the water and surrounded by competitive sailing, Maggie Campbell saw ocean engineering as a natural choice of major.
Through four years of classroom learning, research, and leadership roles, she built the technical and problem‑solving skills she will soon take into the U.S. Navy’s civilian workforce — close to the water again.
In recognition of her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to research, Campbell has been named the Outstanding Senior for the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering.
A Purpose‑Driven Path
Campbell makes a conscious effort to say yes to new experiences, new opportunities, and meeting new people. “Throughout my time at Virginia Tech, I tried to take advantage of every opportunity that was presented to me,” said Campbell. “Through each experience, I learned something and became a better version of myself.”
She joined the Human Powered Submarine team as a freshman to build upon the course material she was learning in the classroom. She eventually became part of team leadership, guiding technical decisions and mentoring younger members in submarine design and fabrication. The experience gave her four years of collaborative problem solving and exposure to high‑stakes engineering environments.
This past June the team’s current submarine, EXLIENNI, earned second place at the International Submarine Races. It is the fastest Virginia Tech student‑built submarine in more than 20 years, and the team has qualified to compete in the 2026 European International Submarine Races — a first for the university.
Love of Discovery
While participation in the Human Powered Sub team gave her an introduction to hydrodynamics, fabrication, and underwater operations, Campbell challenged herself to go bigger. As a junior, she joined Associate Professor Christine Gilbert’s research group working in the Hydroelasticity Lab and the Virginia Tech Towing Tank.
“Maggie is a hardworker, passionate about engineering and naval architecture, and is the highest ranked student in our ocean engineering program,” said Gilbert. “She asks insightful questions in class out of pure interest and is truly curious about the world around her. Despite her busy schedule and high performance in the classroom, she still finds time to be one of the most productive undergraduate students in my lab.”
Researching dynamic instabilities of high-speed planing craft and small craft slamming has deepened her understanding of naval hydrodynamics, structural behavior, and experimental methods — all foundational skills for a future naval architect.
“Dr. Gilbert’s research focuses on small craft, particularly investigating safety concerns and factors that can destabilize vessels and make them less effective in their missions,” said Campbell. “I’ve been able to contribute to research that helps make boats safer and more effective for the people who use them, which is very important to me. This work lets me learn things that are directly applicable to what I’ll be doing professionally, and understand both the theory and the experimental side behind real‑world engineering decisions.”
Recognition of a future leader
Campbell has earned two nationally prestigious honors recognizing her academic achievements. In 2025, she was one of 74 recipients of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award, which provides scholarship funding as well as mentoring, professional development, and networking.
She also received the Department of War SMART Scholarship, which provides tuition support, internships, and guaranteed civilian employment at a sponsoring facility after graduation. Campbell is sponsored by Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock and will join its Combatant Craft Division as a naval architect after completing her master’s degree.
“I’m excited for this job, because the work has the potential to be impactful for a lot of people, and it’s something I know I’ll enjoy,” said Campbell. “I’ll get to go out on the water, participate in sea trials, and work directly with the end users, which is really important in engineering. With small craft, you don’t have a different person working on every system. You might have one or two people responsible for an entire boat, so I’ll be able to use all aspects of my degree, keep learning, and stay closely involved in the work. I’m excited about both what I’ll get to do and the impact it will have.”
