Industrial Engineering
Biography
Hello, I am Joanna Fowkes, an Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UT). I am excited to participate in the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (Heath IBEP) in the 2027 cohort.
I am a highly motivated and determined individual. I prioritize active participation in all of my academic and personal endeavors and work hard to honor and fulfill my commitments. Here at UT, I am a member of the Co-ed Engineering fraternity Theta Tau, and I also participate in the women’s club soccer team. Outside of school, some of my interests include prioritizing my physical fitness through consistent exercise. Some of my favorite forms of exercise include soccer, running, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). My father is from Leicester, United Kingdom, which led me to be an avid Leicester City Football Club fan. Additionally, I love listening to music and attending concerts of my favorite artists.
The summer before my senior year of high school was when I was first introduced to Heath IBEP. I decided to tour UT because of its excellent engineering program. Impressed by the Tickle College of Engineering as well as the Haslam College of Business, I felt that Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program would be a perfect fit for me and my aspirations. During high school, my favorite classes were STEM-based. As a four-year leader in my school’s DECA chapter—a business and marketing club where I competed at regional, state, and international levels—I found that Heath IBEP’s combination of Business and Engineering perfectly blends my two academic passions.
Heath IBEP’s use of mentorship was very inspiring to me. The opportunity to foster close personal and professional relationships with current industry professionals before graduating college is unique. Additionally, I highly value meeting students, faculty, business professionals—and networking with them—which Heath IBEP excels at achieving. One prevalent goal I’ve set is graduating from university as a well-rounded individual from both business and engineering standpoints.
From a professional standpoint, I plan on graduating with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) and pursuing a career where I hope to make a positive impact. My goal is to obtain a role within a stable company meaningful both to myself and those around me—and eventually move into leadership. Furthermore, I’m open to various experiences within the engineering field which will help me find the perfect career fit for me in the future. I’m confident that my personal drive paired with resources offered by Heath IBEP will provide necessary tools for achieving these goals.
