Biosystems engineering junior named Frank Vandergrift Co-op Student of the Year

Marrin Morris, a junior in biosystems engineering, gained valuable experience from her co-op — helping her stand out to the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR), which selected her for the Frank Vandegrift Co-op Student of the Year award.

The award is given each year by the CDCR office in honor of Frank Vandegrift, the former director of Auburn’s Cooperative Education program. The office recognizes students who have made notable achievements in their co-op experiences.

As part of the co-op program, students gain up to one year of full-time work experience through a three-semester work-school rotational model. Students gain practical, engineering discipline-related experience and refine both technical and essential skills that directly impact post-graduation outcomes.

Morris completed her co-op with the Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board in Montgomery, gaining hands-on experience with water and wastewater engineering.

However, in addition to technical skills, she said her most important achievement was developing her interpersonal skills.

“The most valuable thing I gained is the improvement of my soft skills, such as written and verbal communication, client engagement and professionalism in the engineering field,” she said. “The co-op also taught me that I have a genuine interest in pursuing water and wastewater engineering as a profession.”

Morris said she has been able to take advantage of opportunities provided by CDCR.

“I was able to secure this co-op using Handshake and other resources given to me through the CDCR office,” she said. “CDCR also helped me practice and improve my job interviewing skills.”

As the recipient of the award, Morris will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a plaque of recognition in the CDCR office. She said she feels proud to represent biosystems engineering with the award.

“It means a lot to me as a biosystems engineering student to represent my department and showcase the amazing engineering work that we do to help provide for the needs of people and the environment,” she said.

In addition to Morris, two other students — Emory Clifford and Bryce Little, seniors in mechanical engineering — were named finalists for the award and each received a $500 scholarship.

Marissa Miller, CDCR’s director of career coaching and programs, said that all three students have excelled at pursuing their career goals.

“Whether it’s engaging in individual career coaching, actively engaging in career readiness programs and events or navigating on-campus recruitment events, all three students have done an incredible job in prioritizing their career trajectories,” she said. “They have made Auburn Engineering CDCR proud.”

According to recent First Destination Surveys and Campus Engagement and Experience Surveys administered by the Office of Academic Insight, students who complete a co-op or internship are two times more likely to be employed six months after graduation.