In January 2022, Briana Wood met with staff at Virginia Western’s Hall Associates Career Center and explained her passion for automotives and her desire to work in engineering for a GT racing team or an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) company like Audi or BMW. She was introduced to Dr. David Berry, Program Head of Mechatronics at Virginia Western, who suggested she enroll in the program’s Design Engineering Technology specialization.

“It was after meeting Dr. Berry that it all made sense,” Wood said. “I had to put aside the stigma I put on myself. I had always viewed automotive as a guy’s sport, but I realized even if I’m a girl I can go against the odds and become successful because I’m passionate about it.”

To read Karenna Glover’s story about Briana Wood, featured in Impact magazine:
Fralin Futures Scholar finds her niche – News from Virginia Western