Lucy Dunn
When Lucy Dunn began her college search, she knew exactly what she wanted and just
as clearly what she did not. The Mobile, Alabama, native wanted a school with the
right size, location and academic focus, somewhere far enough from home to feel like
a fresh start and strong enough academically to support her interest in computer engineering.
“I wanted the one that was everything,” Dunn said.
That search took her and her mother on a road trip across several states before ultimately
leading them to Tennessee Tech University, where Dunn found exactly what she was looking
for.
“We came on tour, and I remember thinking, ‘This is it,’” Dunn said. “I loved the
town, I loved the campus and my tour guide was the sweetest person ever. It just felt
right.”
Dunn’s interest in computer engineering started long before college. Growing up, she
spent hours with her father taking broken electronics apart to see how they worked,
even if they never made it back together. That curiosity followed her through middle
school circuit kits and a part-time IT job in high school.
“It all kind of came together,” she said. “I realized this is what I want to do.”
Choosing Tech meant taking a closer look at what computer engineering really is and
how it differs from similar majors. Dunn said Tech’s program stood out because it
treats computer engineering as its own specialized discipline rather than a blend
of computer science and electrical engineering.
“I really want to go in depth with my major and really have a specialty degree. That’s
what Tech does,” Lucy said. “They have a lot of in-depth electives that all go into
what computer engineering really is, whether that’s software or hardware.”
Hands-on learning was one of the major highlights of the program for Dunn. From labs
to department events, she saw firsthand how students apply what they learn beyond
lectures.
“They brought out all these projects and demonstrated them for us,” she said. “Seeing that kind of hands-on research showed me that Tech prepares students for real-world work, not just sitting in a classroom.”
One of the most challenging and rewarding experiences for Dunn has been her microcomputer systems coursework, where she learned to combine detailed coding with physical hardware.
“You spend hours building something, and then you hand it to someone who’s never seen
it before,” she said. “If they can use it without knowing how it was built, you’ve
done your job as an engineer.”
Faculty support has also played a key role in her experience. Dunn credits computer
engineering professor Rafay Hassan with helping her feel seen and supported in a demanding
major.
“He made it a point to learn our names and really get to know us,” she said. “He never makes it feel like a burden to help you, and that makes a huge difference.”
Outside the classroom, Dunn is heavily involved on campus, serving as a Trailblazer tour guide, working as a tutor in the library and participating in campus ministry. She said those experiences have helped her grow personally while strengthening skills she will use as an engineer.
“Being involved has taught me how to work with people, manage my time and build relationships,” she said. “Those things matter just as much as technical skills.”
As an out-of-state student, Dunn said finding a sense of home at Tech was especially important. Being far from family pushed her to build strong relationships on campus and fully invest in her college experience.
“What really made Tech home for me was my friends,” she said. “Finding people who let you be yourself and give you room to grow made all the difference.”
Looking ahead, Dunn hopes to pursue a career in embedded systems within the aerospace field, possibly working in places like Huntsville or Dallas. She said Tech’s emphasis on hands-on learning and career preparation has given her confidence in that path.
“Tennessee Tech has helped me figure out not just what I want to do, but who I want to be,” she said. “I feel prepared for what comes next.”