Extraordinary Engineer: Tess Mosley

Tess Mosley

Tess Mosley

A civil engineering major from Gainesville, Tess Moseley is committed to sustainable solutions to our most pressing challenges. She’s also working toward a minor in environmental design and conducting research aimed at helping rural communities across Georgia share knowledge, data and resources.

Hometown
Gainesville, Georgia

High School
Chestatee High School

Degree Major
B.S. in Civil Engineering
Minor in Environmental Design

Expected Graduation
December 2022

What is your favorite thing about being a student at UGA?
I love that it’s a big campus! While the size of UGA was intimidating at first, I have met so many people with diverse backgrounds and it didn’t take long for me to find a sense of community.

Why did you choose engineering?
I knew that a degree in engineering would give me the knowledge I need to recognize areas in our society that are unsustainable and find solutions that make sustainability not only feasible, but a better choice overall.

Tess Mosley and friend

 

What has been the greatest challenge you have faced while at UGA, and how did you overcome it?
People always warned me that the transition of going from high school to a large institution like UGA would be hard and they were right. In high school, I always found it easy to take chances because the possibility of failure or rejection wasn’t that high. When I came to UGA, I became scared to take those chances because I developed a major fear of rejection, and it wasn’t until recently that I started overcoming it. Through finally taking chances again, and facing both success and failure, I realized that the worst thing that can happen is someone says no and you try again!

What have you learned (or are learning) that has made a difference for you?
After I learned about the waste and emissions that come from the construction sector, I knew I wanted to find ways to decrease the impact it has on our environment. Now, listening to podcasts and keeping up with new innovations in construction materials helps me stay motivated because I know what I’m working for.

What/Who has helped you become a successful student here at UGA?
I have an amazing support system filled with people who inspire me daily, and I wouldn’t have been able to succeed without them. They help me stay balanced and grounded no matter what!

Are you participating in undergraduate research? 
I recently began research with Dr. Durham developing a peer-to-peer file sharing network that will encourage communities to share knowledge, data, and resources. This network would not only support rural asset management, but allow for easier research in the future by centralizing data from many different communities.

Why did you choose your research area?
A network like this would help make a sustainable future more accessible to all communities regardless of location, population size, demographics, etc. and would promote innovation through collaboration and communication. I am very excited to see the outcome of this research!

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I love the turtle pond because it’s such a peaceful part of campus, and I love taking a study break from the Science Library to go visit the turtles.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
Maepole! They have delicious vegetables, specialty drinks, and a great patio.

Favorite class at UGA?
Introduction to Landscape Architecture inspired me to pursue a minor in Environmental Design. I really enjoyed learning about how to design spaces that are mindful of the environment! My favorite engineering class has been Civil Engineering Materials because of how hands-on it was.

Tess Mosley and friends

 

Best memory at UGA so far?
One of my best memories so far has been my IMPACT trip to Ft. Myers, FL in 2019. We worked with an organization there called Conservation 2020 to remove invasive species, primarily sansevieria (better known as snake plants) and melaleuca. My group and I bonded so much, and they let us take some plants home as long as we promised not to plant it outdoors. I still have my snake plant growing in my living room!

What advice do you have for younger students who wish to pursue engineering?
Know why you are doing it! Classes can be very hard and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but finding a passion for what you do makes it a lot easier to stay motivated.

How do you hope to impact society with your engineering degree?
I hope to make sustainable living easy and accessible to everyone regardless of their background.



Join a cutting-edge engineering program at a time-honored university

Apply Today Make A Gift