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| Anita Riddle led ASME members on a tour of the Hill Aerospace Museum. She was a bomb technician in the Army and shared her knowledge with students. |
Name: Anita Riddle
Pronouns: She/her
Residence: Draper, UT
Major: Music and Engineering for personal interest
Academic goals: Since I completed a terminal degree in one area of engineering, I’m exploring other engineering disciplines. Plus, I want more education in music so I can help with family music endeavors.
Dream job: Executive in an International Oil Company
Plan B: Accountant for Music Business
Why higher education? SLCC provided me the foundation in music theory, music history and piano that I need to support my family’s future with music. Professors Craig Ferrin, Thomas Baggaley, Stephanie Smith and Laura Kelly have made significant difference in my ability to help my family’s music business grow internationally. SLCC also provides the engineering leadership and engineering research opportunities to develop music-related innovations. Dr. Nick Safai in Engineering is a true gem at SLCC. He guided me in the academic research process and also inspired me to participate in and lead clubs.
Why SLCC? I first enrolled because of the convenience of SLCC facilities and the variety of programs available. But now that I’ve met so many amazing people here, I keep taking classes because I learn quickly from SLCC’s brilliant faculty and in clubs with motivated students.
What motivates you or inspires you at school or in life? My main goal in life is to ensure my daughters Sierra and Christine have the competencies, skills and inspiration to be happy, independent and contributing members of society. In addition to my professors inspiring me to develop musical innovations by applying my new skills, what drives me academically are my fellow students who creatively build on ideas in true teamwork fashion. Finally, my husband Steven motivates me every day. His passion for the outdoors and wildlife make living in Utah a true joy.
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| The SLCC ASME coordinated an educational hike. Shown here are ASME members Anita, Sierra Schmidt and Rocketry Club President Chandler Taylor. |
Meaningful life or career lessons you have learned so far? Two main sayings come to mind. First, from my late father Jack Riddle, “Don’t go to work to get ahead. Go to work to do a great job. Your career will take care of itself.” He was right. When I focus on the task at hand and align it with the greater mission of my employer and truly enjoy my work, I have always been appreciated and rewarded.
The second saying I developed from volunteering with Girl Scouts, PTA and being a student again at SLCC: “Every person can do something AMAZING, regardless of their age, background or abilities. Just let him or her excel and get out of the way.” I think stereotyping is still too prevalent in society in general. I think ambitious leaders can thwart the contributions of others. What I love about SLCC is the incredible diversity of types of thinkers in the classroom and the open environment to speak. For example, in an interpersonal communications class, Professor Kelly Jones brought out even the quietest, most timid person who said something extraordinary about himself and how society could better employ people of his background. I also believe there is untapped potential among people with disabilities who have a great deal to offer society.
Family: My husband Steven Schmidt is from Illinois. He holds a master's and a doctorate in chemistry from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He worked with DuPont and ExxonMobil. My daughter Sierra was born in Plano, Texas. Sierra is now a Phi Theta Kappa honoree a music student at SLCC. My daughter Christine was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when I worked in an oil refinery there. Christine is now a senior at Corner Canyon High School in Draper.
Hobbies: My husband Steven and I enjoy snow shoeing in the foothills of the Wasatch mountains near our home in Draper. We also both snow ski and hike regularly. I enjoy projects and outings with fellow members of clubs at SLCC. I also volunteer with Girl Scouts of Utah, the Olave Baden-Powell Society (global Girl Scout supporters) and with the Parent Teacher Student Association in Draper. I enjoy traveling, especially to visit and volunteer with colleagues.
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| Anita breaks snowy trail on snowshoes near Draper Alpine Road. |
Awards: Distinguished alumna, National Youth Science Camp, SLCC Phi Theta Kappa, Member of National Society of Leadership and Success, SLCC President’s List.
Accomplishments: Abstracts for two different academic research projects accepted for the Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research. Worked at ExxonMobil. Army veteran.
Why did you get involved in ASME Club and what has being a part of the club meant for you? Back in Fall 2020 I saw a flyer at South City campus for a field trip to the Hill Aerospace Museum. I signed up. I really enjoyed touring the museum with the engineering students who were members of several clubs, including the Society of Women Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education and the American Society of Civil Engineers. The members of those clubs have become friends. We have helped each other academically and professionally for several semesters. I believe these friendships will last for a long time.
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Engineering club members Sierra Schmidt and Heather Kerekes run a table at Club Rush. |
When Dr. Nick Safai in SLCC Engineering suggested that I activate the Student Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), I jumped at the opportunity. I joined the National ASME too, and I have shared opportunities with other SLCC students. Now, my favorite part of being in an SLCC club is the ability to quickly network with other clubs and do exciting activities. Here’s a recent example. Chandler Taylor, the president of the Rocketry Club, while on an ASME-Sponsored hike, mentioned an interesting Mars rover exhibit at the Clark Planetarium. While I was at a Society of Women Engineers (SWE) meeting, I mentioned Chandler’s opportunity. SWE liked the idea and invited the Robotics Club. That next Saturday we all met and were awed by the Mars Rover “Perseverance” twin at the Clark Planetarium.
I must credit the quick action and support by the club presidents and by our advisors—Professors Nick Safai, Aimee Birdsall, Quintin McRae and Ms. Bonnie Ogden. Clubs are what make SLCC an extraordinary experience for me. Another time, Gabriel Holm, President of the Psychology Club, and Dulce Hashmi, President of the SWE Club, offered their clubs' support of an ASME-led Community Outreach Event. It was great working with them to support underprivileged students.
Why should students join clubs? You can find generous, helpful and fun friends in SLCC clubs. I’ve found club members to be generous with their ideas about places to visit that will be of mutual interest to everyone. During my time at SLCC the engineering clubs have visited Hoover Dam, Timpanogos National Monument, Bear Creek Suspension Bridge, Homestead Crater Hot Springs, Clark Planetarium and Hill Aerospace Museum. Club members also work together on academic research projects that have opportunity for national presentation, publication or competition. Also, with the nice reorganization and revamping of support by SLCC’s Anita Lui who heads the Clubs and Organizations, club leadership is manageable and supported.
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| SLCC Engineering Clubs collaborated for a field trip to the Hill Aerospace Museum. |
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Section at SLCC plans to host one field trip during the Spring 2023 term. We are thinking either The Leonardo Science, technology and art museum in Salt Lake City or Hill Aerospace Museum. Additionally, every month the national ASME hosts a “Day in the Life of an Engineer Working at….” event. We expect to hear from engineers from around the United States. Additionally, ASME plans a new donation drive for school supplies for ChildFund International for distribution to underprivileged Ugandan school children.
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| The SLCC Student Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers and the Psychology Club for a community outreach event. |
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