Ashley Tang’s (ENG’26) Penn story started more than a decade ago around her family’s kitchen table in Chester County, Pennsylvania. During their Sunday dinner of homemade dumplings—a longstanding weekly tradition—Ashley’s love for the University began as her parents playfully joked that they would bring her dumplings every week if she decided to attend. What began as lighthearted mealtime banter transformed into a tangible goal as Ashley considered the next phase of her educational journey: “As I got older and learned more about myself, I also learned more about Penn. I was drawn to the engineering program, and I loved the opportunity to take classes in other fields, as well. I’m so grateful to be here—and it all started with my mom’s homemade dumplings.”
As an electrical engineering major in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Ashley continually develops new skills as she cultivates her passions for problem-solving and innovation. A lifelong love of tinkering—empowered by a keen intelligence and heart for service—has led Ashley to her ultimate ambition of working within the consumer electronics field, where she plans to design medical devices that will improve patients’ everyday lives. While still in high school, she created a facial recognition device to help those living with Alzheimer’s. She also developed a tool that can dispense any color of oil paint through voice command, to benefit artists whose dexterity may be limited due to arthritis or other ailments. “While these devices don’t address root causes, they address day-to-day challenges and help make life a bit easier and more enjoyable.”
Access to inspiring research, cutting-edge technology, and world-class professors sets Penn apart—and Ashley appreciates the role of alumni philanthropy in fueling growth and discovery. The resources at Detkin Lab (made possible by Peter Detkin EE’82 L’85) and Tangen Hall (made possible by Nicolai Tangen W’92 and Katja Tangen) have been especially meaningful for Ashley. “I have been able to tap into my greatest potential on campus. Regardless of my specific ambitions, there is technology to explore, or professors and managers who can help guide me. I feel unrestricted here—there are no boundaries, aside from my own imagination.”
Upon graduation in 2026, Ashley will receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, due to her acceptance into the School of Engineering’s Accelerated Master’s program. During her remaining time on campus, she looks forward to deepening her specialization and directing her creativity toward meaningful projects, and she knows her Penn relationships will continue to uplift her throughout her life. “Everyone here has a unique set of interests in which they excel. It’s inspiring to build connections and learn from my mentors and friends—they’ve challenged me to think in new ways and expand my vision for what’s possible.”
Favorite Spot On Campus
