Rachel Varughese

• Title: Outstanding Graduate/Professional Student Award

Rachel Varughese, from nearby Hilliard, has focused on giving back to her community while pursuing her Master's degree in Chemical Engineering. From attending her first involvement fair as a freshman to serving as the President of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE) in her final year, Rachel has found a home in SWE. Through her numerous leadership roles, including as Treasurer and Vice President, Rachel has managed a $250,000 budget, secured record-breaking sponsorships, and awarded scholarships to support women in engineering. Rachel created the Breaking Barriers speaker series to connect graduate students with female faculty in STEM, fostering mentorship and empowerment. After graduation, Rachel will join GE’s Edison rotational program, where she plans to take an active role within GE Women’s Network as a mentor to early-career engineers.