Mentor Biography

My name is Keerthana Nair, and I am a third-year Aerospace Engineering major at UCF. I graduated in 2024 from Indian Land High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina. One of my favorite classes I took at UCF has been Calculus 1. This was one of my first college courses, and it was a great opportunity to meet new people and solidify a foundation for what my college journey would look like. One of my favorite professors at UCF is Professor Boustique, who taught Calculus 3. He explains concepts clearly, is very engaging with the class, and offers a lot of opportunities to improve and learn through his homeworks, quizzes, and tests. This teaching style made challenging exams and quizzes feel manageable because I would feel prepared and encouraged. I decided to get involved with EXCEL and the COMPASS mentor program because it gives STEM students a sense of supportive community. As an out-of-state college student, I was worried about making friends and finding academic support, but EXCEL provided both. Through EXCEL, I was able to be in classes with the same group of students which helped me form connections and friendships quickly. I was also able to attend tutoring sessions and exam review which was valuable. As a COMPASS mentor, I am passionate about STEM, specifically Aerospace Engineering, and I hope to share insights with incoming students about my experiences at UCF so my mentees can find what major/career choices may be best suited for them. My advice to COMPASS students is to remember that finding the right major may be challenging, but with the resources and support at UCF you can find what you are passionate and excited about. Some things I like to do in my free time are play tennis, play the piano, and spend time with my friends.