Dominic Mastronardi
Hometown
Peachtree City, Georgia
High School
McIntosh High School
Degree Major
Civil Engineering
Expected Graduation
May 2023
What is your favorite thing about being a student at UGA?
“The atmosphere is and has been exciting from the day I came to campus. With that said, I think my favorite part is the availability of opportunities to try new things.”
Why did you choose engineering?
“My dad was a major influence, but the overall support from my parents kept me on the path to try to become an engineer. I also knew with the technical and soft skills I acquired through high school, that I’d have a good chance at making a difference, however big or small, in the field of engineering.”
What has been the greatest challenge you have faced while at UGA, and how did you overcome it?
“The biggest challenge that I have faced would be managing my time once I branched out from just taking classes. I began training for powerlifting and had to get a job to pay for a coach, so time has been stretched thin for the past couple years. I overcame this aspect by using a planner and prioritizing certain tasks. However, I don’t complain because I’m grateful to have the opportunity to achieve my goals in and out of the classroom. Fluid mechanics and dynamics were also rough to say the least.”
What have you learned (or are learning) that has made a difference for you?
“Academically, learning about the way things work around us in everyday life has been a part of almost all of my classes as a civil engineer, and the information has been priceless. Outside of classes, the ability to self-advocate has been the greatest thing I think I’ve ever learned.”
What or who has helped you become a successful student here at UGA?
“I have always had a strong sense of discipline, and I can’t stress enough that I believe discipline is the primary driver behind success. The answer to “who” would be my friends and family who have supported me throughout my time here at UGA.”
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
“The Ramsey Student Center is my favorite spot on campus because I have been able to train for powerlifting and make a lot of friends along the way. It feels like a second home.”
What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
“For a dinner spot I’d have to say Porterhouse. I’m a huge fan of steak and would eat it all day if you’d let me and the selection at that restaurant has been great for me. But for breakfast or lunch, my favorite spot would be Mama’s Boy.”
Wht has been your favorite class at UGA?
“I think I’d have to go with my calculus two class purely because of the teacher I had. He couldn’t have been more knowledgeable regarding the “why” behind what we were discussing content-wise in class and what we needed to accomplish to attain a good grasp of the material. He also arguably cared more about the success of each individual student than any other teacher I’ve had and made it known each day in class. I say arguably because I have Dr. Durham, too, and he’s hard to beat when it comes to anything related to student success.”
Best memory at UGA so far?
“These questions are unfair with the abundance of great memories I’d be able to share after the three years of being at UGA, but, aside from watching us win the National Championship, I’d have to say that my best memories would be the calls I get to make with my dad and mom every Sunday.”
What advice do you have for younger students who wish to pursue engineering?
“You can go a long way by actually talking to the professors and showing that you care about being successful in your classes. Only a few are grouchy, so you don’t need to worry. Focus less on the individual grades and more on your ability to learn because once you start to truly care about the material and start to want to learn, the grades will follow suit.”
How do you hope to impact society with your engineering degree?
“I enjoy the topic of efficiency in all applications of the word, so I’d hope to use my degree to help achieve a more efficient future no matter what career path I end up on.”
