"I honestly wasn't sure if I had a realistic shot at getting into an Ivy League program, so seeing that congratulations message was an incredible feeling and a huge honor."
The University of Texas Permian Basin prepares Falcons to succeed wherever their ambitions take them. For Franzi Piefke, that journey is landing her in an Ivy League education.
In 2024, Franzi graduated from UTPB with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. This June, she received exciting news: she had been accepted into Dartmouth College's Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering program.
"I honestly wasn't sure if I had a realistic shot at getting into an Ivy League program, so seeing that congratulations message was an incredible feeling and a huge honor," Franzi said.
She will pursue her master's degree part-time while working as an Implementation Engineer in the New York City area. As she begins this next chapter, Franzi says the education and support she received at UTPB have prepared her well.
"UTPB's small class sizes made the difference in my education," Franzi said. "Having direct access to faculty and peers allowed me to truly engage in every class. I believe I learned better because I wasn't just a face in a crowd to my professors. They knew who I was and cared about every single student's engagement and success."
Originally from Germany, Franzi arrived in Odessa facing the challenge of building a life far from home. Looking back, she credits UTPB with helping shape both her career and her personal growth.
"UTPB gave me a place to grow up," Franzi said. "Stepping onto campus far from home and not knowing anyone was a huge leap of faith. UTPB truly shaped the person I am today, and the memories I made are unforgettable."
As technology continues to evolve, Franzi hopes to keep learning and adapting throughout her career. Her goal is to bring an innovative mindset to engineering while developing software and hardware solutions that make a meaningful impact.
Congratulations, Franzi! The entire Falcon family is proud of your accomplishments and looks forward to seeing all you'll achieve.
In 2024, Franzi graduated from UTPB with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. This June, she received exciting news: she had been accepted into Dartmouth College's Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering program.
"I honestly wasn't sure if I had a realistic shot at getting into an Ivy League program, so seeing that congratulations message was an incredible feeling and a huge honor," Franzi said.
She will pursue her master's degree part-time while working as an Implementation Engineer in the New York City area. As she begins this next chapter, Franzi says the education and support she received at UTPB have prepared her well.
"UTPB's small class sizes made the difference in my education," Franzi said. "Having direct access to faculty and peers allowed me to truly engage in every class. I believe I learned better because I wasn't just a face in a crowd to my professors. They knew who I was and cared about every single student's engagement and success."
Originally from Germany, Franzi arrived in Odessa facing the challenge of building a life far from home. Looking back, she credits UTPB with helping shape both her career and her personal growth.
"UTPB gave me a place to grow up," Franzi said. "Stepping onto campus far from home and not knowing anyone was a huge leap of faith. UTPB truly shaped the person I am today, and the memories I made are unforgettable."
As technology continues to evolve, Franzi hopes to keep learning and adapting throughout her career. Her goal is to bring an innovative mindset to engineering while developing software and hardware solutions that make a meaningful impact.
Congratulations, Franzi! The entire Falcon family is proud of your accomplishments and looks forward to seeing all you'll achieve.
