student spotlight

The accomplishments of our students are very important to us at the School of Engineering. Please join us in congratulating the two 2006 Outstanding Graduates among engineering students with an Industrial specialization, Giancarlo Calva and Kimberly Collins.

Giancarlo Calva was an accomplished student, campus leader, and athlete during his undergraduate years at Mercer University's School of Engineering.

Giancarlo Calva graduated from the School of Engineering in May 2006 Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an Industrial specialization and a minor in Business Administration. One of two 2006 Outstanding Graduates within the specialization, Calva was extremely active within his major and served as President of Mercer's chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE).

In addition to his involvement in IIE, Calva was a member of the NCAA Division I Soccer Team and Cross Country Team. He also participated in Omicron Delta Kappa honor society and the Hispanic and Latin Student Union. Calva worked at the Academic Resource Center throughout his undergraduate career serving as a Lab Assistant.

Calva's industrial specialization project experience includes completion of a space utilization and process improvement project for YKK, which he collaborated on as a senior design project. Other projects he completed include the design of an ergonomic computer desktop workstation, the simulation of a packaging area for YKK, and the design of a kiosk and its interface for NASA. Calva also competed in the 12th annual IIE/Rockwell International Student Simulation Competition.

Calva supplemented his classroom studies through summer internships, providing him with real world experience. During the summer of 2004, Calva interned at Lauris Consulting, S.L. in Barcelona, Spain where he assisted a team of consultants in strategic planning process development. In the summer of 2005, Calva interned at Milliken and Company in LaGrange, GA where he collaborated on a process improvement project for the cleaning procedures at the Kex 1 Plant. He was also responsible for writing working instructions under ISO 9001 and 5S standards.

Calva is currently working in Houston, TX at Cemex, a Mexican company leading the cement industry worldwide.

Kimberly Collins graduated with highest honors at Mercer's May 2006 commencement, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.96.

Kimberly Collins graduated from the School of Engineering in May 2006 Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with an Industrial specialization. One of two 2006 Outstanding Graduates within the specialization, Collins held a 3.96 grade point average upon graduating, evidencing her outstanding performance in the classroom. Other honors include a second place finish in the IIE Region 3 Technical Paper Competition.

Collins was also actively involved in extracurricular activities including membership in Tau Beta Pi and the Institute of Industrial Engineers. A leader on campus, Collins served as the Spires Chair within her sorority Chi Omega as well as on her sorority's philanthropy committee. She was also a member of Up Till Dawn where she served on the organization's catering committee.

During the summer of 2005, Collins was chosen as a Summer Challenge Intern at Milliken and Company in Spartanburg , SC. Within her role at Milliken, Collins worked alongside a Six Sigma Black Belt, used simulation software to determine process baselines, and collaborated with a team of six to complete the define and measure phases of Six Sigma.

Collins is currently working with a general contractor Archer Western, part of the Walsh Group out of Chicago. She is located at the Atlanta Airport where she is working on the new international terminal job site. In the future, she plans to return to school to further her education by earning either a master's degree in IE or an MBA.