From a young age, senior industrial and systems engineering major Faith Larimore ’26 has pursued excellence — constantly striving to grow, refine and exceed the limits placed before her.
As a high school student, Larimore began competing in local and national science fairs, designing experiments to control plasma and studying the effects of magnetism on inert gases using infrared cameras. These projects earned the young scholar several awards, including the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Naval Science Award, first place in a Society of Women Engineers competition and recognition as one of the Top 300 Scholars by the Society for Science & the Public for her work in energy generation.
“These experiences revealed the potential of magnetically confined plasma as a powerful energy source, fueling my passion to pursue an engineering degree,” she said. “Engaging with a community of like-minded peers not only strengthened my interest in physics but also inspired me to empower others to explore the limitless possibilities of engineering.”
Utilizing her newfound passion for engineering, Larimore took the initiative to serve as her high school’s engineering club president, where she led her classmates in group projects exploring engineering concepts.
Despite her passion for learning and determination to pursue higher education, she grew uncertain about the future as she entered her final year of high school.
“At the time, my family was the primary caregiver for my grandparents, who were battling dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” Larimore said. “I wanted to remain nearby to support them during this time.”
Although she received several offers from various universities across the nation, the idea of leaving her grandparents during their final years was unthinkable.
Luckily, a recent graduate of the Texas A&M Engineering Academies at Austin Community College encouraged her to consider a different path — one that allowed her to continue her education while staying in Austin to support her family.
As the first engineering transition program in the U.S., the Texas A&M Engineering Academy program is a unique opportunity for students interested in a career in engineering. Students are co-enrolled with Texas A&M and one of 10 partner community colleges. They take mathematics, science and core curriculum courses through the community college while taking engineering courses from Texas A&M faculty on the community college campus. After one or two years, students transition to Texas A&M to complete their bachelor's degrees. Unlike traditional transfer programs, students are Texas A&M engineering students from day one.
“When I received my acceptance, I was exhilarated, as what had once felt like an uncertain future became a clear path forward,” Larimore said.
“The program allowed me to pursue my academic and personal goals without sacrificing my family responsibilities,” Larimore said. “I am grateful that my grandparents were able to spend their final moments surrounded by loved ones, and that I could honor their memory by committing to the educational journey I know they supported.”
While attending the Texas A&M Engineering Academies at Austin Community College, Larimore set a goal to embrace every opportunity available to her. She joined the Chevron Corporation Academy Mentorship Program to help students advance their interview and career preparation skills. Her dedication earned her the title of 2022-2023 Mentee of the Year, and she later became a Chevron Ambassador.
When I received my acceptance, I was exhilarated, as what had once felt like an uncertain future became a clear path forward.
In addition to her role in the Chevron mentorship program, Larimore served as the lead peer teacher for a group of four faculty at Austin Community College in ENGR 102, an introductory engineering class. She taught Python programming and led group study sessions to support students with test preparation and homework. Larimore was invited to continue teaching and grading in more advanced engineering courses in 2024.
“Through my interactions with these students, I have not only been able to impart knowledge but also to learn from their dedication and resilience,” she said. “Their kindness and commitment to growth have inspired me to continuously improve so that I can better support their learning. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness some of the students I taught transform into peer mentors themselves, expressing that the reason they decided to take this role is because of me.”
In fall 2024, Larimore transitioned to College Station, where she continued making the most of her college experience.
Since arriving, she has participated in several prestigious NASA programs for students interested in aerospace. In summer 2023, Larimore led a team of 10 students in developing replaceable batteries for electric flying vehicles, and presented the project to NASA judges at the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. The following spring, she served as project manager in another NASA program, where her team’s rocket engine improvement proposal ranked among the top five within the program. In summer 2024, Larimore joined the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy (MCA), helping lead her team through the first three phases of NASA’s Mission Lifecycle and presenting a lunar mission plan called “NAIAD.”
These experiences led to a NASA L’SPACE internship during the 2024-25 academic year, where she mentored four student teams on their own mission projects. For her outstanding work, Larimore was awarded the 2024 LEAP Intern of the Semester Award.
“These experiences strengthened my leadership abilities and taught me how to work effectively in group settings, while also learning to adapt to different team dynamics,” she said. “These lessons have been essential to my development as an engineer and to my future success in team environments.”
As she looks to the future, Larimore aims to pursue a career in the aerospace industry as a systems engineer, with the goal to contribute to robotics missions. While Larimore is deeply committed to her academic goals, she also prioritizes her personal ambitions of refining her leadership style, developing her authentic voice and becoming more empathetic and supportive of others.
“Every day is a new opportunity to help someone else,” she said. “Ultimately, I hope to inspire and support others in their journeys to become engineers, grow as students and reach their professional goals.”
Despite a demanding academic schedule, she continues to pursue self-excellence by giving back to the very program that helped her become an Aggie. As a dedicated member of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy Ambassadors, she has attended both on-campus and off-campus engagements and served as a panelist at recruitment events, providing insights into the Engineering Academy experience with prospective students and their families.
“I am honored to be both an Aggie and a [ACC] Riverbat,” she said. “This opportunity has allowed me to give back to the program that has positively impacted my life and influence future generations of students on their journeys as Aggies. Knowing that I can positively impact their academic journeys is immensely fulfilling and has made my time in the Engineering Academy truly worthwhile.”
Ultimately, Larimore credits much of her success to the Texas A&M Engineering Academies for providing an alternative pathway to earn her engineering degree.
“The Engineering Academies represent the road less traveled, bringing together a diverse student body and fostering a community where support and lasting friendships flourish,” she said. “Most importantly, it is a place where, despite the challenges, you will take pride in your growth. Once you step foot on this campus, you will recognize just how far you’ve come since day one, and you will be prepared to embrace the countless opportunities that lie ahead.”