Ten students were announced in early February as the 2025 Knights of St. Patrick inductees for their demonstration of “leadership, excellence in character, exceptional contribution to the College of Engineering and its students.” The Knights of St. Patrick is a prestigious honor awarded by The Grainger College of Engineering annually to acknowledge students for their academic excellence and extracurricular involvement. Two of the ten students selected for this year's cohort are students from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Eric Nieto Gonzalez and Jaelynn Abdullah. We caught up with them to learn more about their experience on campus and within the ECE program.
Eric Nieto Gonzalez | Electrical Engineering, Semiconductors
Q. Why did you choose the University of Illinois?
I chose UIUC because its engineering program is among the best in the world, with access to cutting-edge research, top-tier faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. When I visited as a high school senior, I felt an immediate sense of belonging—the students, faculty, and staff made it feel like more than just a university, it was a supportive community. The collaborative environment, coupled with hands-on learning opportunities, made UIUC stand out among all the schools I considered.
Q. What inspired you to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering?
My passion for Electrical and Computer Engineering began in my childhood when my older brother received a virus-infected computer. He took it upon himself to learn how to fix it using library resources, and I was by his side the entire time, fascinated by the process. Watching him troubleshoot hardware and software issues sparked my curiosity about how computers work. As I grew older, I became more interested in electronics, circuits, and semiconductor devices, leading me to pursue ECE as my career path.
Q. What has been your favorite course so far and why?
My favorite course so far has been ECE 385: Digital Systems Laboratory. What sets this class apart is its hands-on approach, where we build weekly projects that bring digital systems to life. The highlight of the course was the final project, where I had the freedom to develop my own digital system. I recreated a full version of SNES Street Fighter 2, incorporating all the original fighting mechanics. The experience not only strengthened my hardware design skills but also deepened my appreciation for FPGA programming and embedded systems.
Q. What advice would you give to incoming students in the program?
My biggest piece of advice to incoming students is to step out of their comfort zone and take advantage of the many opportunities UIUC has to offer. Whether it’s joining student organizations, participating in research projects, or attending networking events, getting involved early can make a huge difference in both personal and academic growth. It’s also important to build relationships with peers and professors—the people you meet here will be part of your support system and can open doors to new opportunities. UIUC offers countless resources, from tutoring services to career fairs, and making the most of them can set you up for success. Most importantly, enjoy the journey—college is a time for learning, growth, and exploration, so make sure to embrace every challenge and celebrate every achievement along the way.
Q. What hobbies or interests do you have outside of academic work?
One of my biggest hobbies outside of academics is playing the guitar. I’ve been playing for nine years, and my love for music started in high school when I was part of a mariachi group. For four years, I performed on stage, playing traditional mariachi songs. Even now, I still pick up my guitar to keep the music alive in my memory. Playing the guitar serves as a great creative outlet and helps me unwind from my engineering work.