Alexis Hall - Building the Future of Sustainable Engineering

 

When Alexis graduated from Conifer High School in 2022, she already knew she wanted to pursue a career in engineering. She received a Bootstraps scholarship, graduated from high school, and took the next step toward her dream by enrolling at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.

 

During high school, Alexis was active in varsity cross-country, mountain biking, lacrosse, DECA, student government, and 4-H, balancing academics with leadership and athletics. Transitioning to college came with a few challenges, including having to navigate housing and bringing her emotional support animal, Tipsy. She had to commit to Embry-Riddle before she knew Tipsy could go with her. She lived in the dorms her first year, later served as a Resident Assistant (RA) for two years, and now enjoys her own apartment with Tipsy.

 

Originally drawn to aerospace engineering, Alexis soon discovered her real passion: robotics. She shifted her focus and is now majoring in mechanical engineering with a specialization in robotics. Her curiosity and persistence led her to a dream opportunity - an internship with Caterpillar in Tucson, Arizona, testing and validating some of the largest mining equipment in the world. The facility operates entirely on sustainable power and water, and Alexis contributed to projects developing electrically powered mining vehicles and robotic systems used in charging and transport. Her strong performance led to a full-time job offer, and she’ll be returning to Caterpillar after graduation.

 

At Embry-Riddle, Alexis has remained active outside the classroom through the Society of Women Engineers. She attended the Society of Women Engineers conference last year, and that is where she made contact with Caterpillar. She also founded the mountain biking club at Embry-Riddle and hosted extracurricular activities while she was an RA.

 

Alexis credits her parents for giving her the confidence to pursue her dreams. They have always been very supportive of her educational and career choices. She also credits Bootstraps with giving her the confidence to pursue her education at an out-of-state school because she knew she had a supportive community behind her. “Bootstraps helped me feel more secure in my decision to go out of state,” she said.

 

As she is nearing the end of her educational journey, she has advice to share with new students. “Don’t buy the textbooks right away! Wait to see if you actually need them because it can save you thousands.”

 

With her mechanical engineering degree nearly complete and a bright future in sustainable technology, Alexis continues to embody the Bootstraps spirit of resilience, innovation, and the drive to make a difference.