TESLA WELLS' PH.D. EXPEDITION IN AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS

individual in the dormitory brought unique values and made it a vibrant community As someone who enjoyed building intrapersonal connections,Wells found that this environment complemented their need to collaborate and work with others to make a positive impact on the community.

Due to their clear concern for their community's well being, Wells was elected and served as the president of their dormitory during their sophomore year at MIT

When thinking about their time at MIT, they realize that,”so much of what [they] learned came through advocacy, student government, as opposed to being in classroom.” They took their role as president , and made a consistent effort to ensure that nd concerns of all members were heard.

Currently, Wells is participating in a co-op, a cooperative community that combines the advantages of home ownership along with community loving While living in this cooperative community, Wells continues to balance between classroom learning and real-world industry experience in addition to living with adults with similar goals and aspirations as themself. Wells mentions that the co-op program aligns well with their personal learning style. They have a genuine affinity for acquiring knowledge through practical experiences and collaborating in team-oriented settings. From this experience, Wells learned how to “structure a group of people, how to mediate between different people, and the organic social norms and trust that come from it” This understanding was only made possible by their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and experiment with new opportunities

Wells also ponders their time in high school and seeing many opportunities offered to young “self starter” students who have “potential”. To Wells, the word ”potential” translates to “passion”. However, they want you to know that “it is okay to seek out opportunities simply because you ' re curious and think that curiosity could grow into something more ” They encourage individuals to not be afraid of trying new things and follow their interests, as they may lead to unexpected and fulfilling passions