When asked about her most significant achievements, Bridgette Bowyer humbly admits that she’s only just begun her journey at WPI. However, her accomplishments before arriving on campus are nothing short of impressive. As the first person in her family to attend college, she has not only broken new ground personally but also made a significant impact on her undergraduate institution and in the professional world.
During her time at Regis College, Bowyer noticed a critical gap in the support available to commuter students. While many institutions focus on providing resources for on-campus residents, commuter students often find themselves overlooked, especially during crucial times like exams and senior week. Recognizing this, Bowyer became a tireless advocate for her fellow commuters.
As the Commuter-At-Large Senator in the Student Government Association, Bowyer spearheaded the creation of the Overnight Stay Program. This groundbreaking initiative allows commuter students to stay on campus during critical periods, providing them with access to resources, avoiding long commutes during inclement weather, and fostering a deeper sense of community. Her efforts didn’t stop there; the program’s proceeds are funneled into the Dear Neighbor Fund, helping fellow students cover essential expenses like books and uniforms. Through this work, Bowyer not only enhanced the academic and social experiences of commuter students at Regis but also left a legacy that will benefit future classes.
While her impact on campus was impressive, Bowyer also made significant strides in her professional career. During her internship at Ranfac Corporation, she quickly rose to the challenge to fix a critical issue.
As the only biomedical engineer at the company, she was thrust into the role of project leader just weeks into her internship.
“The main project I led was where I solved a life-threatening non-conformance in our manufacturing procedure, and retrained Quality and Manufacturing on what to look for and how to keep it from happening again.”
In this role, she conducted a thorough chemical root-cause analysis and implemented changes that ensured the safety and quality of the company’s products. Her leadership and expertise resolved the issue and have protected patients from potential harm since May 2023.
For Bridgette Bowyer, pursuing higher education has always been more than just earning a degree—it’s about making a difference in the world. As the first in her family to attend college, she has defied expectations and set a new standard for what’s possible. Her family, many of whom have served in the military or worked as first responders, are very proud of her ambition and drive to get her master’s degree.
Her drive to help others is rooted in her desire to give people with life-threatening diseases a chance at a full life. The Gateway Scholarship at WPI is helping her move closer to that dream by making her education more affordable and allowing her to focus on her goal of improving lives through biomedical innovation.
As she embarks on her journey at WPI, Bridgette Bowyer is poised to continue making an impact.
“Higher education is allowing me to get closer and closer to my dream of helping as many people as possible – hence why I became a biomedical engineer. Scholarships help me and my family by keeping school affordable, so I can continue to give people with life-threatening diseases a chance at experiencing a full life they deserve.”
We are proud to have such dedicated and ambitious students like Bridgette at Worcester Polytechnic Institute!