Meet Our Graduates: Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics

The College of Charleston School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics is committed to developing a talent pool of technically proficient and globally fluent innovators and entrepreneurs.

This summer, we highlight three graduates who demonstrate how the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics prepares its students for the industries of the future.

What CofC School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Graduates are Doing Next

Roger Brown

Mathematics Major with a Minor in Pre-Actuarial Studies

Joining Travelers Insurance’s Actuarial Leadership Development Program in Hartford, Connecticut, before beginning a full-time MBA program in the fall at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business in Boston

Between their studies, their practices and their travels, it’s a wonder student-athletes find the hours in their days to get it all done. Yet, somehow, cross-country runner Roger Brown not only got it all done – he completed his degree in just three years.

“CofC taught me how to perform under pressure and manage competing demands without losing sight of what matters,” says Brown, who served as his team’s captain and secured a place on the Top 10 record board while also serving as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, leading community initiatives across 18 athletics teams. “Balancing a full course load, Division I athletics, work and leadership roles simultaneously gave me a level of discipline and time management that no single experience could have provided on its own.”

Brown also co-founded Run Your City Charleston, a free six-week youth fitness program for children in the Charleston community, and managed it through its first season. And still he was able to shine academically, as well: presenting original actuarial research at the College of Charleston Department of Mathematics Colloquium Series in March 2026.

“The mathematics faculty pushed me to think rigorously and communicate clearly, and the community I found here gave me the confidence to take on challenges bigger than myself,” says the first-generation student who received the Charleston T. Brown Endowed Scholarship.

Earlier this year, he passed the Society of Actuaries Probability Exam and completed the 2026 SOA Student Research Case Study Challenge, “Actuaries in Space: The Pricing Frontier,” which simulated a futuristic multi-line insurance environment.

It all led to his summer internship with Travelers Insurance’s Actuarial Leadership Development Program, after which he’ll start the MBA program at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business.

“I am most excited about the transition from student to professional and the opportunity to apply everything I have built at CofC in a real environment,” says Brown.

Adrian “Aj” Smith Jr.

Systems Engineering Major with a Minor in Mathematics

Working at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, Texas

The summer before his senior year at the College, Adrian “Aj” Smith took his future career for a test drive during an internship with Volvo.

“I chose to take an internship at Volvo because I wanted to gain more experience, specifically in automotives,” says Smith, noting that he also wanted to test the job market and explore different careers. 

It seems to have paid off: Now Smith is heading to Austin, Texas, to work at Tesla’s Gigafactory.

“My time at the College surrounded me with strong mentors who helped me define clear goals for my career and connected me with valuable resources to achieve them,” says Smith. “That environment also pushed me to stay disciplined and continuously work toward growth.”

Smith – who came to the College through the Bridge Program – acknowledges that it wasn’t always easy, especially since he was minoring in a subject that he wasn’t always particularly strong at.

“Math was always one of my weakest subjects growing up, so being able to develop that skill and ultimately graduate with a math-intensive degree along with a minor in mathematics has been incredibly empowering,” he says, noting that working his way through one of the more challenging majors at the College “has been a significant personal accomplishment.

“I am extremely grateful for my journey at the College of Charleston,” continues Smith, who represented his school as a collegiate rugby player his entire time at the College. “This experience has reinforced my belief that with faith, discipline and hard work, anything is possible.”

Sydney Wertz

Computer Science (B.S.) and Computing in the Arts (B.A.) Major in the Honors College with a Concentration in Game Development

Pursuing her master of science in computer games technology at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland

An aspiring video game developer and designer with a passion for telling unique and creative stories, Sydney Wertz couldn’t be more excited to begin her graduate studies at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland.

“Dundee is the place to be in the UK for video game development, as many major studios have offices right in the city where the university is,” explains the Honors student, who credits assistant professor of computer science Ellie Lovellette for suggesting the computer games technology program. “She was the one to point me in the direction of Scotland for getting a postgraduate degree. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her!”

Indeed, Wertz spent much of her time at CofC working in Lovellette’s AR/VR Lab, where she was creating interactive simulations using Unreal Engine 5 and Infinadeck Treadmill – something she is infinitely proud of.

“My biggest achievement was proving the proof of concept for my bachelor’s essay by being able to actually walk around in a simulated environment that I developed specifically for the Infinadeck Treadmill in my research lab,” says Wertz of her time at the College. “This took nearly four years of work to learn all of the necessary software and skills required, so I was very happy to see it pay off.”

Tools for the Future

Through excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research and opportunities for experiential learning, close work with faculty and engagement with high-tech industries, the College of Charleston School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics provides students like these with everything they need for the careers of the future.

Majoring in engineering, computing or mathematics at the College of Charleston gives you the ability to deal with a changing marketplace on your own terms. You’ll be a student of the sciences and technology, but you’ll also learn must-have communication skills, a global perspective and the creative mindset you need to thrive in the workplace.