Each spring, the UC Santa Barbara College of Engineering (COE) bestows a handful of prestigious awards upon graduating seniors, who excelled both inside and outside of the classroom. Each recipient will be honored on stage during the college’s Undergraduate Commencement, which will take place at 1 PM on Commencement Green on Friday, June 13.
Hynes-Wood Award
Lauren Bajo-Smith, a chemical engineering major, has received the College of Engineering’s 2025 Hynes-Wood Award, which recognizes a student for outstanding contributions to student activities and helping others with professional growth and development. The award is named for Jacqueline Hynes, the former assistant dean for academic programs in engineering, and the late Roger Wood, a beloved electrical and computer engineering professor and former associate dean for academic affairs. Bajo-Smith described the recognition as “a tremendous honor.”
“The award is extremely validating and shows me that the time, energy, and effort I contributed to my peers and the greater campus community over the past four years made a meaningful impact,” said Bajo-Smith. “I try to be the person I wish I had in my own life when I started at UCSB. Seeing my peers grow into themselves as engineers and people is the biggest reward.”
A member of the first cohort to return to campus after the COVID-19 pandemic, Bajo-Smith quickly immersed herself in the campus community. She joined the leadership ranks of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student chapter as social chair and vice president of external affairs. She launched a workshop series that connected lower-division chemical engineering students with faculty and led outreach efforts with companies to organize site and campus visits. Most recently, she held the position of Western Regional Chair of AIChE, representing student chapters of nearly twenty universities in the division. She also acted as the external vice president and president of the Engineering Student Council and scholarship chair of Phi Sigma Rho, a STEM-focused sorority. For years, Bajo-Smith has also volunteered with the UCSB Science Olympiad, an annual regional STEM competition for middle and high school students from four counties, which is part of a national competition.
“I’m most proud of the lasting relationships I’ve built, and the moments where I’ve seen someone gain confidence or clarity because of something I helped with, whether that was a resume review, a job referral, or encouragement at just the right time,” said Bajo-Smith. “College is a pivotal time in so many people’s lives, and having the courage to go after what you want isn’t always the easiest. I am happy to share that courage with my peers.”
“It is overwhelmingly clear that Lauren has enriched the social, academic, and professional lives of countless students at multiple levels — in her department, her college, her campus, and beyond,” wrote Todd Squires, a professor of chemical engineering who nominated Bajo-Smith. “The Hynes-Wood Award seems written for Lauren and is a well-deserved and fitting honor to express our gratitude and appreciation.”
Bajo-Smith adds that her time as an engineering student taught her to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach problems with creativity and discipline. After graduation, Bajo-Smith plans to work in industry, either in chemical production research and development or in energy engineering, before returning to academia to pursue a PhD and continue a family tradition.
“Both of my parents have worked in education for more than twenty-five years, so in many ways, teaching is in my DNA,” she said. “I want to become a professor not just to pursue my academic interests, but because I truly enjoy helping others learn and grow, just like my parents did for me.”
