Future Students

Engineering Design Day Project

The senior capstone project for this team of seniors, shown here at Engineering Design Day in May 2009, involved designing a rear suspension system for the Baja racecar that could withstand severe competition stresses.

CURRENT LOCATION: Future Students > Engineering Zone in Gila Hall

Engineering Living-Learning Community

Join the community of Engineering freshmen in Gila Hall! This is a great opportunity to live, learn and socialize with your peers.

What is the Engineering Zone?

The Engineering Zone is a unique living-learning community that brings together first-year engineering students to further their academic, social, professional and personal development. The Engineering Zone is located on the 3rd Floor of Gila Hall and houses 60 students, 30 men and 30 women.

Why should I live in the Engineering Zone?

As an Engineering Zone resident, you will benefit from the following:

A cohort of peers who are taking similar classes (ENGR 102, Math, Chemistry, etc.)
ENGR 197A: A 1-unit academic success course-in-common designed to help you with your resume, introduce you to all 13 engineering majors, and develop your learning and leadership styles.
Academic advising and tutoring.
Trips to off-campus sites, including Biosphere 2, the UA Challenge Course, and the Pima Air and Space Museum!
Interaction with faculty, current students, and young professionals.
Strong felt connection with the University of Arizona and the College of Engineering.

Who is Eligible to Live in the eZONE?

Any freshman who has been admitted to the College of Engineering is encouraged to apply! We accept both Honors and Non-Honors students.

How Do I Apply for the eZONE?

Complete the Residence Life application through the Next Steps Center
Submit an Engineering Zone application
- On the Engineering Zone Application you will be asked to submit a Letter of Interest, Resume and your Personal Statement. See application for details.

Meet the 2012-2013 Resident Assistants!

Maira Garcia
Junior, Aerospace Engineering
From Tolleson, AZ

Maira Garcia is a junior from Tolleson, Arizona studying aerospace engineering. Maira has been and is currently involved with many engineering clubs including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic Engineers, and Engineering Ambassadors. Maira has also been involved with the social justice organization Advocates Coming Together and the Women's Leadership Conference Planning Committee.

Maira has experience as a research assistant in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering department working with wind tunnels. She is also an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Mathematics department. She also works as an office assistant in the Academic Affairs Office in the College of Engineering. When Maira is not working or studying, she loves to spend time with friends and watch a few of her favorite shows. Maira also loves to go out and explore new places.

"I lived in the Engineering Zone my first year here at the University of Arizona and I am ecstatic to return. The eZONE really did feel like my home away from home because of all the amazing people who surrounded me. The eZONE is an incredible place to live because everyone is so welcoming and ready to have a great time. You truly feel like an integral part of the College of Engineering while living here and I feel like I got to know much more about what it means to be an engineering student while living here. Not to mention, that the people I met while my time in the eZONE are now my best friends."

Matthew Henricks
Senior, Engineering Management with a Systems Engineering focus
From Phoenix, AZ

Matthew is currently involved in the Naval Reserve Officer Training (NROTC) Program on campus and is deeply involved with many aspects of that position. He earned his UofA SafeZone trained plaque in August 2011 and highly believes in equality. This position will be his second year in the Resident Assistant position and his third year as a resident of Gila Hall. He generally spends his free time playing euro-board games (i.e. Carcassonne, Dominion, Settlers of Catan), watching plays, and continuously exploring the city of Tucson.

Matthew is looking at pursuing a degree as a naval unrestricted surface line officer with early thoughts of one day earning a lateral transfer to the Judge Advocate’s Generals Corps (JAG). He will be graduating in December 2013 at which point he will earn his commission into the fleet.

“The engineering community here at the University of Arizona is one of the closest knit and supportive you’ll find anywhere. The number of ways to get involved is mind boggling and the more of those opportunities you take the more connections you’ll make. What you put into this experience is what you will get out of it. The eZONE is a great way to start making those first connections that will help incoming freshmen in their early years of college and into life. Many of the people you meet here will be the same ones that you will see throughout your four year experience. This truly is a unique experience for people desiring to be engineers that should not be passed up.”