Biomedical Engineering
Biography
My name is Alyson Champion, and I am a biomedical engineering student in the 2025 cohort of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Growing up with a father in engineering and a mother in business, I have always experienced the need for better communication between these fields. I have come to greatly value the vast differences between engineers and business-minded people. However, I am motivated to bridge the gap between these fields that aren't quite as different as we might think.
I value service-based leadership above all else in the workplace. I believe that actions speak louder than words. I admire leaders who take the time to understand their employees' strengths and utilize them effectively in collaboration with others' strengths. My goal is to cultivate such an environment myself. Additionally, I highly value systems that invest in their workers or members. I am extremely curious and constantly seek to add new skills to my toolbelt. For example, my interest in yoga led me to become a certified instructor, allowing me to teach free classes for students on campus whenever asked. This has enabled me to create a positive impact by sharing my practice with others. Alongside my curiosity, I am extremely passionate about my interests. I invest countless hours researching and learning about topics that fascinate me, determined to learn as much as possible about them.
As a biomedical engineer, I hope to pursue a career in the medical device industry. My goal is to work in an environment where I'm not only improving technology but also enhancing others' quality of life. During my freshman year of college, a mentor through the Society of Women Engineers significantly impacted my college experience and continues to inspire and guide me even after her graduation. In an attempt to be that person for someone else, I became a mentor in my Integrated Business and Engineering Program on campus. Through this role, I've been able to help my mentee find internship opportunities as well as organizations where they feel at home on campus. Creating an atmosphere of encouragement and passion has always been my top priority—a goal that I know I'll carry into the workplace and wherever else life takes me.
