Amidst rapid technological shifts, evolving industries, and global uncertainty, GW Engineering’s Class of 2026 was reminded at Thursday’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Friday’s Graduation Celebration how they’re uniquely prepared to navigate this complexity as engineers and computer scientists. Through their GW education, they’ve learned how to bridge engineering and other fields and responsibly translate innovations to society.
This year’s student speaker, Olivia Landriscina, shared with the audience some of the impactful solutions she’s witnessed classmates create while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. From using machine learning to study transit equity across neighborhoods in Sāo Paulo, Brazil, to building an assistive fishing rod for a paralyzed veteran, a theme among GW Engineering student projects is the application of technology to improve lives.
“This isn’t just coursework. These are projects that people care about and that can make real differences in this world. That’s what we do at GW,” said Landriscina. “We’re not just students anymore, we’re builders, we’re creators, and we’re problem-solvers.”
In her remarks, this year’s keynote speaker, Sasha Pailet Koff, B.S. ‘97, a company founder and expert in supply chain transformation, encouraged graduates to remain true to their values and never compromise their ethics. “Your technical skills will open doors, but your values will determine what you build once you walk through them,” she said.
Koff reflected on how her own student experience at GW Engineering shaped her career through a story of a professor who would start every class by discussing the roles of professions like lawyers and doctors.
When it came to engineers, he would say: “An engineer is a special breed. With their efforts, they hold the key to enable societies to prosper…and at the same time, eliminate entire populations.” This has stuck with Koff, as she feels it was among the most important lessons she learned here because he was really saying that what you choose to work on matters.
Koff’s career has followed a non-linear path across sectors from technology and consumer goods to healthcare and specialty chemicals. She currently serves as President of So Help Me Understand, LLC, Managing Director of the Cyber Readiness Institute, and a Partner with The Masters of Supply Chain. Previously, she spent over two decades at Johnson & Johnson before joining Dell Technologies
At GW Engineering, all graduates gain not just a degree but a way of thinking and operating at the intersection of disciplines and the courage to keep learning, which has helped Koff to lead through times of profound change. She told graduates not to be afraid of a path that meanders because this has turned out to be one of the greatest gifts of her career.
“As I look out at all of you today, I see engineers who are prepared not just to solve problems, but to navigate complexity, to connect across disciplines, to lead through ambiguity, and to build in ways that actually hold,” Koff stated.
In his final charge to graduates, Interim Dean Jason Zara reinforced this message, emphasizing that the skills and mindset gained here will enable them to adapt quickly and decisively to technological and societal change.
“Engineers and computer scientists can have a profound impact on our world, locally and globally, and for generations to come. The knowledge, skills, ethics, and responsibilities you have acquired at GW Engineering have prepared you to be technical leaders of the future and have empowered you to make the world a better place,” he said.