Four Incoming Engineering Students Named Haslam Scholars

Hector Centeno of Memphis, a bilingual native of Venezuela, plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering and start his own business. His passion began early, when he spent a summer building his first PC, sparking a lasting interest in electrical engineering. He continues that interest today through his research into small-scale windmills and their power production. In high school, Centeno blended engineering with community engagement through leadership and service. He served as student activities coordinator and committee head for student council and as treasurer of Crafts-for-a-Cause and French Club. He also played on the football team, participates in the Technology Student Association and National Honor Society, and volunteers with his local fire department. Centeno has earned AP Scholar with Distinction honors, engineering awards, a Fire Department challenge coin, all-region recognition and his team’s all-time power clean weightlifting record. In his free time, he enjoys working out and spending time with friends.

Shamyu Dinkakurthy of College Grove, Tennessee, plans to major in mechanical engineering with a focus on energy and sustainability. Dinkakurthy volunteers with the Middle Tennessee chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby as the state media manager and a Tennessee leader, learning about climate policy and communication methods while experimenting with traditional and social media to bring a more personal touch to social activism. Since starting her own sustainable fashion business, Dinkakurthy has created a community of artists and strives to integrate her observations of the world into her art, emphasizing the importance of individuality and expression while pursuing conscious consumption. As president of her school’s Environmental Club and social media manager for Green Team, a local nonprofit, she aims to teach others easy and creative ways to pursue sustainable living. Dinkakurthy is a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction.

Matthew Greenwood of Knoxville plans to major in mechanical engineering. His interest in engineering came from his time as a member of the Tennessee Technology Student Association. A seven-year member of TNTSA, Greenwood was elected as TNTSA’s state vice president and membership committee chair. The positions not only enhanced his interest in engineering but also sparked a passion for leadership and advocacy, leading him to serve as Knox County’s At-Large Seat 11 junior commissioner and provide insight on his school board’s Youth Strategy Council. Greenwood is dedicated to serving his community by balancing technical leadership and skill. In high school, he was a school ambassador and a member of Mu Alpha Theta.

Mikayla Shumpert was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but proudly calls Knoxville her hometown. She plans to major in civil engineering, driven by a strong interest in connective infrastructure and solving real-world problems. Throughout high school, she has been involved in track and field, student council, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society.  Most of her time is dedicated to AeroHawks, her school’s rocketry club, where she leads her NASA Student Launch team in a nine-month high-power rocketry competition. She has also captained teams for the American Rocketry Challenge and the UAS4STEM drone competition, earning a third-place finish. Shumpert believes that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics should be accessible to everyone and teaches rocketry as a volunteer at a local elementary school’s STEM nights. She also volunteers as a math tutor and serves at a diaper bank through her church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her sisters and crocheting.