May 3, 2021
SVSU graduating seniors 2021: Sabrina Coffman
SABRINA COFFMAN
mechanical engineering
Toledo native
Sabrina’s story
Mechanical engineering fields remain primarily dominated by men, but Sabrina Coffman is breaking the stigma as a woman who excels in the program at Saginaw Valley State University.
Sabrina decided to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering because of her hands-on work ethic and her competitive drive.
Her love for STEM started off in high school, where she was a member of a STEM club that worked on technological projects focused on helping people perform daily tasks. One of the projects she participated in involved developing a typing tool for a person with cerebral palsy to help him with his job.
The rewarding factor of impacting individuals’ lives has inspired Sabrina to purse her master’s degree in biomedical engineering at Cleveland State University, where she plans to enroll after her May graduation from SVSU. She hopes to focus her studies on prosthetic limbs or research involving regenerative tissue and organs.
Sabrina hopes to leave a positive impact on peoples’ lives — especially young girls — who may want to pursue a career in the STEM field or excel at any career they set their mind to.
We asked Sabrina a series of questions about her experience at SVSU. Here are her responses:
What was your favorite memory at SVSU?
“One of my favorite memories at SVSU is being able to travel to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) National Conference. Being a part of SWE has been an incredible experience that has included rewarding volunteer work, professional developing and networking, and creating amazing new friendships. I was able to attend the SWE National Conference twice, once in Minneapolis, Minnesota and once in Anaheim, California. The national conference is an amazing experience where thousands of STEM women come together for professional and personal workshops, a huge career fair, and tons of learning and networking opportunities.”
What was your proudest accomplishment at SVSU?
“One of my proudest accomplishments at SVSU has been my success on the SVSU golf team. I have worked on my golf game really hard over the past five years while also maintaining my rigorous engineering studies, and there have been a lot of up and downs, but now I hold several records for SVSU, have been named to the All-Conference Team twice, have qualified for post-season play as an individual, and have won two tournaments. I have also been named an Academic All-American three times. And my last season is not even over yet!”
What advice would you give an incoming freshman at SVSU?
“I would tell an incoming freshman to take advantage of every opportunity that SVSU has to offer. Do not be afraid to go explore any interest you have or branch out and join different organizations. There are so many awesome people at SVSU between the students, faculty, administration, athletics, and RSOs. Try new things and go to any events that sound cool to you. The only regrets you will have are the experiences you don’t try!”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I will be attending Cleveland State University in the fall to pursue a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Also beginning in the fall, I will be playing Division I golf for CSU. I am pursuing Biomedical Engineering because I want to work with either prosthetic limbs, artificial organs, or tissue regeneration. My goal is to be able to help people in my career and make a meaningful impact in peoples’ lives. Also, if I am competitive enough by the end of my collegiate golf career, I would like to try to play professional golf.”
The following are clubs, organizations, and accomplishments that highlight Sabrina’s SVSU experience:
President, Society of Women Engineers, SVSU 2016-present
- Served as a member 2016-17 and 2018-19, served as secretary during 2017-18 academic year
- Elected president by a vote of organizational peers from fall 2019 to May 2021
- Planned and facilitated the organization’s trip to the 2019 SWE Conference in Anaheim, California
Vice President, SVSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee, SVSU 2016-present
- Served as a member from 2016-17, served as head of Student-Athlete Relations subcommittee, overseeing eight members, from 2017-19
- Organized a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation that raised over $300 in a three-hour period
SVSU Women’s Golf Team 2016-present
- Selected by head coach during second semester of freshman season to serve as captain of team; maintained captain status throughout playing career
- Named to the Women’s Golf Coaches Association Academic All-American Team in 2017, 2018 and 2020
- Elected to 2nd All-Conference Team 2018 and 2020
- Competed in the NCAA Division II Super Regionals as an individual athlete
- Set several records for SVSU women’s golf
Member, Cardinal Formula Racing Team 2016-17
- Utilized SolidWorks to draft a design sketch for a push bar used on a formula race car that competes in national competitions with other universities