Abigail Reigner

Mechanical Engineering BS, Science and Technology Public Policy MS; 3rd year

Hometown

Boyertown, Pennsylvania

Student Organizations

RIT Formula Racing, Native American Student Association, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Engineers of Color Creating Opportunities, Philharmonic Orchestra

Student Awards

Frederick Douglass Scholarship, 2021

KGCOE Alumni Endowed Scholarship, 2021

You are very active with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and you are the immediate-past Region 6 representative. What were some of your responsibilities?

I was the Region 6 representative from December 2019 through July of 2021. This position included a lot of different social media outreach and keeping in contact with different college chapters throughout the region. I also had an opportunity to help and partake in the 2020 Leadership Summit. I hosted a few different student caucuses throughout the year, met with Canadian AISES students, and worked with my fellow reps throughout the year on different events for students. 

In 2021, with help from Jessika Quijada and Nicole Scott, I organized and hosted the AISES Region 6 Conference. Though held virtually, many of our activities were interactive, and it was great to see so many people who I consider my family, despite the barrier. 

You are very involved with RIT’s Native American Future Stewards Program. Why is it important to have organizations like FSP on college campuses?  Can you share some examples of activities that take place?

I am very fortunate to go to a university that supports and celebrates its Indigenous students. Especially here in upstate New York, we are on the land of the Haudenosaunee, many of those who still live in this area. Supporting Haudenosaunee students is the very least that RIT could do considering that this university was built on the land of the Seneca nation, and additional support to other nations is a great opportunity as well. Almost thirty percent of Indigenous people will drop out before completing high school, and significantly less will go on to pursue higher education. Many of us have deep ties to our families and land, something that is polarizing compared to going to college for at least four years. Having programs like FSP helps support and uplift us, as well as provide a family away from home. 

Some activities that we partake in are trips to the Ganondagan Longhouse, located in Victor. They host many great educational events, and I encourage people to check it out (especially during heritage month!). With the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, we attend different conferences, such as nationals, the leadership conference and regional conference. And finally, with the Native American Student Association, we host the Native American Heritage Month kickoff, as well as a celebration of Indigenous People’s Day. 

You are a proud member of the Comanche Nation. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, what stands out to you? Why is it important?

As an Indigenous person, I consider myself very lucky to have not personally dealt with some of the largest issues in Indian Country - poverty, lack of funding and government support, and especially being overlooked as a demographic. Some very important issues to me regarding indigeneity include lack of funding towards Indian Health Services, as well the education barrier between indigenous-heavy areas and ones with fewer indigenous people. Indigenous people's month is important because we are on the land of people that lived - and for most cases, that still actively live - on the land, we take for granted. Indigenous people have proven time and time again that environmental stewardship and responsibility are the best ways to backtrack climate change, and it's time we start listening to the people who perfected the relationship between mankind and the earth instead of turning to them as a last resort. 

After graduation, what are your career goals?

Though it feels a long way off – I would like to work as an engineer, but I am also attracted to public service. I would like to pursue a career in policymaking or law eventually. 

Fun Facts:

Favorite spot on the RIT campus?

I love Gosnell Hall – it’s full of nooks and crannies that face windows, and I like to watch the world go by. 

Five years from now, I see myself…

Maybe in law school, maybe working as an engineer. I’m not sure yet! 

Favorite musician/music/artist?

The Linda Lindas

What is your hometown and what is it known for?

I’m from Boyertown, PA. Interestingly, Steve from Blue’s Clues went to my high school.