A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering is an achievement to celebrate.
Riley Mohr went further and graduated last fall with minors in cosmetic science, business administration and chemistry.
Riley Mohr, far right, received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering last fall. In June, she will move to Houston to work for Advisian as she completes her master’s degree in energy engineering.
As a student-athlete, Mohr received All-MAC honors during the 2023 softball season, primarily at first base, and earned academic honors from the College Sports Communicators on its 2023 Academic All-District Softball Teams.
And now she’s pursuing master’s degree in energy engineering.
“Riley is one of the hardest working individuals I have ever had the privilege of working with in my coaching career,” said Head Softball Coach Jessica Bracamonte. “The depths of her involvement in academics, athletics and extra curriculars speak to her desire to excel and make an impact in every area of her life. She has been instrumental in supporting and moving forward the vision we have for this program in exciting ways.”
A native of Bellevue, Ohio, Mohr said the opportunity to succeed as a student and as a student-athlete was a major factor in her decision to become a Rocket after graduating from Bellevue High School.
“Being able to work toward a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering while also being a student-athlete on the softball team at The University of Toledo has been a very rewarding experience,” she said.
“I chose UToledo because of the opportunity to play,” Mohr added, along with the fact that UToledo has a unique undergraduate program in cosmetic science and formulation design.
Mohr was always interested in cosmetic science, and the combination of the chemical engineering degree and the cosmetic science minor would be the perfect combination.
Riley Mohr received All-MAC honors during the 2023 softball season, primarily at first base, and earned academic honors from the College Sports Communicators on its 2023 Academic All-District Softball Teams.
“I wanted to explore different routes throughout my career,” she said. “I have been able to experience the oil industry via my co-op experience and now I am set to work in consulting for the oil and energy industry post-graduation.”
Mohr is working towards earning her master’s degree as she is finishing her last season as a Rocket softball player, and she has already accepted a full-time engineering position.
“In June, I will be relocating to Houston to work for Advisian as a new graduate process engineer consultant,” she said. “I’ll continue to finish up my master’s degree while I start my new career.”
Mohr credits her close relationships with Dr. Thehazhnan Ponnaiyan, an associate lecturer in chemical engineering, and Dr. Maria Coleman, a professor and chair of the Chemical Engineering Department.
“Being a student-athlete while being involved in a very serious engineering program has been tough at times,” she said. “Time management and planning have been at the forefront of all the work that I have completed. I cannot be thankful enough to be part of a program where the professors and staff are willing to accommodate my needs and schedule. I would say that my proudest achievement while being at The University of Toledo is being a student-athlete while being able to gain a chemical engineering degree.”
Ponnaiyan said that he was impressed with Mohr’s diligence and persistence as a student and her success in the classroom and on the softball field.
“Riley is a very hardworking and disciplined individual with extraordinary multitasking and time-management skills,” he said. “The chemical engineering program is a highly rigorous one and she has successfully placed on the Dean’s List five times in addition to being a seven-time Rocket Scholar Athlete and a three-time All-MAC Honoree, while constantly juggling between sports and academia.”
Dr. Coleman added, “Riley is an exceptional student that brings a strong work ethic and curiosity to everything that she does,” she said. “She is a great supporter of the department and a wonderful role model/mentor for our younger students. It has been a pleasure to have Riley as a chemical engineering student.”
Looking back at her time as a Rocket, Mohr noted her growth as a student-athlete. She served as a Freshman Interest Group leader, participated in community service opportunities and is now a teaching assistant in the Chemical Engineering Department. There were her experiences on the softball team or as a fan in the stands, and her co-op experiences working for BP — in Ohio as well as Washington.
“The University of Toledo has helped me refine who I am as a student, as an athlete and as a person,” Mohr said. “I couldn’t imagine having gone to school anywhere else.”
