黑料网

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 6, 2026

From leading student organizations, to conducting research, and gaining industry experience, Samantha Bevis 鈥�25 has made the most of every opportunity during her time at 黑料网. Those experiences helped shape her into a leader and aspiring educator, paving the way for her continued studies in mechanical engineering.

A graduate of the mechanical engineering technology program in Kennesaw State鈥檚 (SPCEET), Bevis arrived on campus with a clear passion for learning and making meaningful connections. 

鈥淚 fell in love with the campus immediately,鈥� said Bevis, a Lilburn, Georgia native who came to Kennesaw State after earning an associate degree through dual enrollment at Gwinnett Technical College while being homeschooled. 鈥淚t gave me the close-knit feel I wanted while still offering all the opportunities of a larger university.鈥�

Originally inspired by a childhood dream of becoming a Walt Disney Imagineer and designing theme park attractions, Bevis was drawn to engineering by her fascination with how rides, machines, and complex systems work. Once she entered the classroom, she quickly realized she had found the right field.

Outside the classroom, Bevis immersed herself in campus life. She served as president of Kennesaw State's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, worked as a writing assistant in the Writing Center, and spent three years as a resident assistant. Many of those opportunities grew from a desire to connect with people and contribute to the university community.

鈥淚t was incredible what opportunities popped up when you just wanted to be connected to campus,鈥� Bevis said.

Her commitment to academics, service, and student involvement earned her the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from SPCEET, an honor recognizing exceptional achievement among engineering students.

鈥淚 was genuinely shocked,鈥� Bevis said. 鈥淚t showed me that I was doing more than I realized. It鈥檚 easy to get caught up in what you do every day and not recognize when you're going above and beyond.鈥�

Those qualities are what stood out to faculty and college leadership throughout her time at Kennesaw State.

鈥淪amantha has excelled academically while taking advantage of the many opportunities on our campus,鈥� SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman said. 鈥淗er success reflects the impact involvement can have on a student's future.鈥�

Bevis also gained industry experience through an internship with Pet Systems, an engineering design firm that develops machinery and piping layouts for beverage manufacturing facilities. There, she worked on process and instrumentation diagrams, contributed to projects for major companies including Coca-Cola and Niagara Bottling, and assisted with automation initiatives involving AutoCAD and Excel-based systems.

It also gave her confidence that she was prepared to succeed in the profession.

鈥淥ne of the biggest things I learned was never to stop asking questions and never stop learning,鈥� Bevis said. 鈥淭hat mindset helped me in the classroom and helped me succeed when I got into the industry.鈥�

After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in May 2025, Bevis continued her academic journey at Kennesaw State. Having completed her first year in the university's master's program in mechanical engineering, she has discovered new interests in engineering education and sustainability research. Her graduate work includes conference presentations, research projects focused on improving engineering education, and a planned thesis examining the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycles.

鈥淚've realized that engineering education and sustainability are areas I鈥檓 really passionate about,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose weren't necessarily the paths I expected to take, but I鈥檓 excited about where they've led me.鈥�

Story by Raynard Churchwell
Photo by Frank Lagnese

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.