A tour of the Valpo Solar Energy Research Facility

Where Faith Meets Passion | Ashley Velasquez ’25 Finds Her Calling in Bioengineering

Since middle school, Ashley Velasquez ’25 has always planned on becoming a nurse. By sixteen years old, she was gaining experience as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and finding a top-tier nursing program was at the top of her post-high school to-do list. Once she was finally kicking off her freshman year in Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, it was a small shock to discover that something was missing.

“By the time I started at Valpo, I realized I really missed math and problem-solving. I was still fascinated by the human body and knew I wanted to stay in that field – and that I wanted to be working as directly with the human body as possible. I still wanted to have a direct impact on patients, just in a different way,” Ashley explains. It was a checklist item that could only be fulfilled on the other side of the healthcare arena: in the College of Engineering. “I switched majors to bioengineering at the start of my sophomore year… It was a seamless transition and I don’t think I could have done it at any other school.”

  • udent Ashley Velasquez '25 and another student smile in front of an intern onboarding presentation at Zimmer Biomet.
  • Ashley Velasquez '25 smiles while holding up her Emerging Leader Award.

Valpo’s bioengineering program offers three distinct pathways: bioelectrical, biomechanical, and biomedical. Each path is grounded in the combined principles of engineering and physiology, preparing students to radiate in their calling with confidence. For Ashley, it was the perfect fit. “I love the relationships I have with my professors in the College of Engineering. The bioengineering students, especially seniors, are so tightly connected. The [community] keeps you motivated and establishes a sense of belonging,” Ashley reflects. On the more personal side, her major allowed her to grow closer to a part of herself that had been there since the beginning: her faith. For Ashley, the intricate design of the human body is an endless source of wonder and a breathing testament of His design. “In bioengineering, my faith intertwines with my passion and learning more about God’s creation. I love learning about every little system and how every little thing in our bodies interacts with each other. It just keeps going and going and there’s so much to discover,” she says. “Like, how do we have these nephrons in our kidneys doing these things to keep us alive and well — and it’s all so tiny!”

Ashley Velasquez ’25 and four other engineering students pose in front of a Tau Bete Pi sculpture on campus, wearing Valparaiso University apparel, under a clear blue sky.

Ashley’s unique faith-based perspective only further propelled her pursuit of discovery. In her first two years in the College of Engineering, she built artificial kidneys, innovated for families in need through GoBabyGo, and researched liposomal drug delivery — and that’s only the beginning. She’s been an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Tau Beta Pi — a prestigious engineering honor society that recently granted her an impactful scholarship. Off campus, she applied her values to two summer internships with Zimmer Biomet, a reputable orthopedic implant company, where she gained invaluable manufacturing experience. The end goal? To graduate into a career in orthopedics, where she hopes to make essential medical devices accessible to all.

Ashley Velasquez ’25 stands with three friends in Valparaiso University's Chapel of the Resurrection, smiling and holding a clarinet.

Ashley’s inspiring calling to servant leadership hasn’t been confined to her major. Throughout her time at Valpo, she’s lent her light to every corner of campus. (We’re convinced her enthusiasm has touched everyone in our community in one way or another!) She is president of Valpo’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and senior class gift. She’s found sisterhood in Valpo’s Kappa Delta sorority and lights the way forward on our panhellenic council. Along with Tau Beta Pi, she is a member of the Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies. She is a human anatomy tutor, teaching assistant for freshman engineering labs, and intramural referee. She even plays clarinet in Valpo’s student orchestra — a passion she wasn’t willing to give up even at the beginning of her college search. From day one of freshman year, she’s made friends and memories that will last her a lifetime. All of these experiences have shaped her person and prepared her to lead compassionately for the good of society.

From start to finish — from nursing to bioengineering — Ashley has walked step-in-step with Valpo’s values, shining brightly for the good of her fellow students and future patients. Now, with only one semester left, she’s confident that Valpo was the right choice. “I love everything about this campus and the relationships I’ve built. I’ve met some of my best friends here, who I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, and that’s been huge for me. Coming to Valpo is the best decision I’ve ever made.” 

We are so proud of Ashley’s accomplishments here on campus and within her own heart, and have every bit of confidence that she will graduate a true Beacon: continuing to discover her joy in service of something greater. Ready to find your calling? Follow Ashley’s footsteps, explore Valpo’s College of Engineering today, and start your journey toward an even brighter future.