Maddie Mathews, a third-year student at Oregon State University, is developing a unique skill set to tackle global challenges by pursuing a dual degree in industrial engineering and sustainability. Her dedication was recognized this year, when she was awarded the Dwight D. Gardner Scholarship from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

Mathews' path to industrial engineering

Mathews’ interest in industrial engineering began at West Linn High School, where she studied robotics and participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition all four years. In her role as robotics integration lead, managing processes and coordinating the activities of various sub-teams, Mathews discovered what she calls a “systems mindset.”

“Industrial engineers, as some of my professors put it, are ‘the great integrators,’” she said. “So, I kind of had that role before I really knew what industrial engineering was.”

As a first-year student charged with a passion for bettering the long-term health of our planet, Mathews was initially undecided between industrial and ecological engineering. She came to realize that a degree in industrial engineering, with its focus on optimizing systems, could help her pursue her environmental goals when combined with a major in sustainability.

“Industrial engineers are uniquely fit to change the world, because we get to see that big picture, the whole integrated system,” she said. “That uniquely equips industrial engineers to be leaders, to make a global impact, to change the way things are done. Integrating industrial engineering with sustainability just makes sense.”

Bringing sustainability to life through internship experiences

Last summer, while interning at Georgia Pacific, Mathews integrated the “three pillars of sustainability” — balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations — into projects heavily focused on engineering.

“When pitching solutions for a particular kind of plastic waste, I emphasized the impacts each solution would have — not just economically, but also on the people working on the floor and on the environment,” she said.

That approach enabled Mathews to complete parts of the project that her manager had not imagined would be possible within the allotted time frame. This summer, Mathews will be working at HP as a sustainability impact operations and compliance intern.

Mathews is also a vocal advocate for training women to be leaders within engineering. She joined the Society of Women Engineers student chapter in her first year, serving as coordinator for the SWEsters mentoring program. This year, she is the chapter’s president. As a College of Engineering student ambassador, she has taken the lead on group projects and helped streamline processes for high school visits.

“I find that my industrial engineering skills help me perform better in all my leadership roles,” she said.