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Enerel Munkhzul '11 |
To say that Randolph-Macon College alumna
Enerel Munkhzul ’11 sets the bar high is an understatement. The
physics major and
mathematics minor graduated from R-MC in three years and is now a student in the Ph.D. program in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“My R-MC education prepared me well for the rigors of graduate school,” she says. “I am majoring in engineering, and I finished my first semester with a GPA of 4.0.”
In addition to attending grad school, Munkhzul works as a graduate teaching assistant in the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering department.
“I assist faculty with lectures, grading and field research,” says Munkhzul, a Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia native. “Starting my Ph.D. program was a big step for me, but I was well-prepared, thanks to Randolph-Macon.”
At R-MC she took a directed-research class under the supervision of Physics Professor George Spagna. The experience taught her valuable lessons about the nature of
research.
“I built a Kelvin Water Dropper—a device that generates potential differences using water droplets,” she explains. “I learned a lot about the research process. I discovered that research is all about trial and error. You are most likely not to succeed on your first experiment, but you have to try to determine what mistakes you have made and fix them on your next try.”
Despite her hectic schedule, Munkhzul is an active member of two VCU student organizations, the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and Formula SAE.
“I serve as secretary for ANS, an organization that promotes the awareness and understanding of the application of nuclear science and technology through scholarship and service,” she explains. “For instance, we invite top nuclear experts to our meetings to share their experiences on important issues that we face in the nuclear industry. Our members also travel to conferences in order to provide better understanding of nuclear science to the general public.”
Formula SAE is a student-design competition. The group plans to build a Formula One-style race car and enter it in the Formula SAE competition; cars are judged on design and performance.
“I organize SAE meetings, events, fundraising and sponsorships,” says Munkhzul. “Once the car is completed, we will compete against more than 140 schools from 13 countries.”
Munkhzul keeps in touch with fellow Yellow Jackets by attending Homecoming, visiting friends and using Facebook.
“Although my R-MC friends and I all chose different career paths, we stay connected,” she says. “I met some of my best friends at R-MC. I also keep in touch with my professors. They are always there to help. I am especially thankful to Professor Spagna and Professor Deonna Woolard (physics) for writing me numerous recommendation letters and for always believing in me.”
Paving the Way for Success Rather than prepare students for one career, Randolph-Macon College prepares students for a lifetime of careers in an ever-changing world. Exceptional faculty work with students to cultivate their ability to think critically and analytically and to find creative solutions for solving problems. R-MC graduates are well-prepared for successful careers, often far outside of their areas of study.
The Randolph-Macon EDGE, the cornerstone of the
Center for Personal and Career Development, helps Randolph-Macon students lead the pack when competing for jobs and top graduate schools. Students have the support of faculty, career coaches, alumni and staff as they focus on their personal and academic ambitions.
Students may choose to pursue paid or volunteer internships in a wide variety of settings. The
Bassett Internship Program has been successfully placing students in academic internships both in the U.S. and around the globe for 30 years. Coordinated with the Center for Personal and Career Development, the program helps students identify their interests and matches them with an appropriate internship opportunity. Randolph-Macon’s
alumni provide a strong network of support for students throughout their time at the college or in assisting them after graduation with career direction and opportunities.
The college’s
Four-Year Degree Guarantee guarantees in writing that freshmen who meet the Four-Year Degree Guarantee requirements will graduate within four calendar years. If not, Randolph-Macon will waive tuition costs for courses needed to complete the degree. Currently, 95 percent of R-MC graduates complete their degree in four years or less—an important value-added benefit for parents to consider when visiting colleges with their students.
Study Abroad programs offer students a beyond-the-classroom global perspective and opportunities to immerse themselves in other cultures. Students can choose from a host of travel courses during January Term and semester-abroad programs.
The Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (
SURF) program gives students the opportunity to conduct 10 weeks of original research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Many students present their findings at national and international conferences.