Yale Engineering Student Spotlight: Halyn McKenzie '25
From Small-Town Texas to NASA: Halyn McKenzie's Journey in Engineering
Written by Natalie Haase '27
Halyn McKenzie, a senior at Yale College in Branford, is double-majoring in Chemical Engineering (ABET) and Mechanical Engineering. Her story is one of curiosity, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for hands-on problem-solving—qualities that have carried her from a small town in Texas to Yale to NASA and back to Yale.
A Small-Town Start
Halyn grew up in the very small town of Liberty City, Texas. With only 80 people in her graduating high school class, she knew each of them since kindergarten. College wasn’t a given for many in her community—most pursued blue-collar jobs or attended local Texas schools.
Her mother, an independent and supportive figure, never confined her to a particular role. Instead, she encouraged her to pursue whatever she was passionate about. For Halyn, that passion started with carpentry projects alongside her grandfather, a former Exxon pipeline worker who did woodworking on the side. Those early hands-on experiences planted the seed for her love of engineering and working with her hands.
Despite her enthusiasm, she faced discouragement. Teachers and even her vice principal advised against applying to Yale, telling her she might be disappointed and that she would be a small fish in a big pond. Halyn had other thoughts, though. “You don’t want to be the smartest person in the room.”
Finding Her Passion at Yale and NASA
Initially, Halyn pursued Chemical Engineering because she loved chemistry in high school, and with her love of working alongside her grandfather, who worked for Exxon Pipelines, it seemed like a stable and promising career. After working at NASA, she discovered her passion for mechanical design and engineering, leading her to add the second major, a Bachelor of Arts in Mechanical Engineering.
NASA had always been a distant dream. In high school, she would jokingly say, “What if I worked at NASA?” That joke turned into a dream, realized by regularly browsing NASA’s website for opportunities. She didn’t have any personal connections to the agency, nor had she ever visited. It was through determination and extensive research that she found and applied for the NASA Pathways Program, a highly competitive co-op that allows students to rotate through different departments.
The application process was rigorous, involving multiple rounds, digital exams, and an in-person interview. When she got in, she spent the full calendar year of 2024—as well as the summer of 2024—working in three different NASA branches: Crew and Thermal Systems (Active Thermal Control), Aircraft Operations (Mechanical Design) and Propulsion and Power (Fuel Cell Group).
It was in Aircraft Operations that Halyn truly found her niche. She worked on the Gulf Stream V, a NASA plane used for scientific missions in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Her personal project involved designing window covers for the sapphire windows in the belly of the plane that allowed lasers to pass through and analyze atmospheric composition—critical for climate research. This project tied into her previous research at Yale in the lab of Prof. Shu Hu, where she used COMSOL, a simulation software platform, to model an environmental reactor designed to capture and sell methane.
Beyond the technical work, NASA was where Halyn learned what a true mentor was. Working alongside experienced engineers and technicians, she gained hands-on experience, including 3D modeling with CREO and professional drafting. She designed, built, and tested components, learning how theoretical designs often needed real-world adjustments. “There’s a key relationship between engineers and technicians. It was eye-opening to see how sometimes what we design isn’t feasible to build, often realized by the technicians.”
Engineering Leadership at Yale
At Yale, Halyn has been immensely involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), serving on the board for four years, including two as treasurer and one as president. Coming from a high school with no female-oriented STEM initiatives, SWE was a revelation. “I had no idea what I was doing [in engineering] at first, but I had a great support group.”
As treasurer, she significantly expanded funding, allowing SWE to host larger events and partner with organizations like the Yale Science & Engineering Alumni Association (YSEA). One of her proudest initiatives was establishing operational systems for the club, ensuring sustainable growth. It was as treasurer that she created the foundation that now makes her job as co-president easier. Under her leadership, SWE expanded outreach efforts, working with an all-girls school in Kenya to describe college and its application process, hosting engineering workshops, and building professional development opportunities.
Halyn also co-founded Yale’s chapter of the Order of the Engineer, inspired by the pinky rings she saw engineers wearing at NASA. This organization emphasizes ethical responsibility in engineering. “Engineers impact lives in profound ways—just look at the recent Boeing failures. We have an obligation to do our work responsibly.” With support from faculty, she and her co-founder, Kawthar Al Janabi, established the chapter and inducted 45 students and professors in its inaugural ceremony in February 2025.
Yale’s Impact and Looking Ahead
Returning from NASA, Halyn found that her conversations with professors changed. She had real-world experience to bring to the table, relating to her professors and bringing back a wealth of knowledge to share and discuss with her peers and mentors. “I learned that if you speak up and have a good idea, people will listen and support you.”
“I learned that if you speak up and have a good idea, people will listen and support you.
Halyn McKenzie
Chemical Engineering (ABET) & Mechanical Engineering '25
Her time at Yale has been one of growth—not just academically, but personally. Some of her fondest memories are the spontaneous moments, like getting dragged to a magic show on a random Tuesday night. Yale exposed her to cultural experiences she never had in rural Texas, from dance performances to conversations with people from entirely different backgrounds.
After graduation, Halyn hopes to work in mechanical thermal design for aerospace, combining her chemical and mechanical engineering knowledge. She’s already been accepted to Johns Hopkins for a master’s in mechanical engineering but is keeping an eye on the job market, particularly as government hiring freezes impact the aerospace sector. In the meantime, she’s taking things day by day and looking forward to a trip to Amsterdam and Paris this summer.
Halyn’s journey—from a small town in Texas to Yale and NASA—embodies resilience, curiosity, and a passion for making things work. Whether she’s designing aircraft components or leading initiatives at Yale, her impact is undeniable. As she puts it, “Yale builds leaders, and leadership looks different for everyone. You don’t have to be the president to be a leader. You just have to do the work.”
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Published Date
Apr 3, 2025
