While many people return to school or switch their career paths, not all of them do so with the gusto that mechanical engineering graduate Lindsey Hopewell has.
Pivoting from her longtime job as a teacher, Lindsey decided to pursue her bachelor’s in engineering after a lifelong interest in physical sciences and some encouragement from her husband, Juan, who is an engineer himself.
“I chose my first career as a science teacher because I wanted to inspire others in the same way it inspired me,” said Lindsey. “I enjoyed teaching, but I realized I wanted to continue learning in that field. I decided to study mechanical engineering because I enjoy solving real world physical problems, and this degree gives me a strong foundation for several career paths that genuinely interest me.”
And solve real world problems she has. Lindsey’s Senior Design Team capstone project was to design and build a water pump for a Ugandan elementary school, requiring her and her teammates to conceptualize and test the pump here in Colorado, then install it in Uganda in the short time they were there. The team also volunteered at Kibera Girls’ Soccer Academy, in Kenya, doing STEM outreach during their trip.
“I learned so much about the cultures in both countries, and the experience felt full circle for me—supporting students in new ways while drawing on my background as a former teacher,” said Lindsey. “Collaborating with our team from Colorado and the local Ugandan community was an unforgettable experience. The global friendships and connections we formed far exceeded what any of us expected from a school design project. Our group is already talking about taking a trip back to Uganda to reconnect with the organizations we worked with and spend more time with the community in the future.”
Another memorable design project for Lindsey was her experience as the lead on her Society of Women Engineers (SWE) team in the 2025 Manitou Springs Emma Crawford Coffin Races.
“When I moved here, the Coffin Races sparked my interest because it’s such a fun and unique event that brings the town together,” Lindsey said. “I thought about all the resources available here at UCCS including our machine shop, and thought it’d be a great way to practice our engineering skills and create something fun together. Many of us had little to no welding and manufacturing experience beforehand which are extremely valuable skills in engineering fields.”
Lindsey first joined SWE in 2022, the year she and her husband moved to Colorado Springs, and acts as Events Coordinator for the organization. She’s also the UCCS American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Student Section President and has made lasting connections through these roles.
“Kimberly Jones, a student leader in both SWE and ASME, was the one who first encouraged me to step into engineering club leadership,” Lindsey said of her fellow engineer and friend. “She’s been incredible to work with and has pushed me to keep going through moments of self doubt. She’s been an essential part of my experience here and a strong presence on campus as a whole, and is one of the most intelligent people I know. I’m proud of her for completing two engineering degrees and for her next step at Johns Hopkins for graduate studies in systems engineering!”
Lindsey isn’t leaving those organizations behind when she graduates, as she plans to transition from a student member in ASME and SWE to a professional member as she begins her postgraduate career as a mechanical engineer. She will miss the parts of her UCCS journey that are coming to an end, though.
“While I’m excited to begin this next chapter, I know I will miss my time here at UCCS and I am extremely proud to be a Mountain Lion Alumni,” she said. “I am honored to be walking alongside some of the greatest people I’ve met through this program, and proud of all our achievements and the amazing faculty members who make this program what it is.”
“Congratulations to everyone finishing this May,” Lindsey added. “It’s been an honor to share this experience with such a dedicated group of students.”