Anna VanDeBerg ’25 is a passionate and driven junior at the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, who is pursuing a dual major in Acoustical Engineering and Music (B.S.E.) with a Jazz Voice emphasis, along with a Mathematics minor.
Driven by a love for music, problem-solving, and physics, Anna chose acoustical engineering as the perfect bridge between her passions. She picked the University of Hartford because the student experience offered her the opportunity to get to know her professors and classmates on a more personal level.
“I love the community at UHart. It’s a smaller school with small class sizes, so I know almost everyone in my classes, and I’m connected to so many others through clubs and organizations. Especially as a student from far out of state, it’s nice to have UHart feel like a second home.
Alongside her academics, Anna is an active member of the university community. She is a member of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), and she serves as the secretary on the EBoard of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). One highlight of her involvement with SWE was attending the SWELocal conference in Hartford last year. At the event, Anna had the unique opportunity to network with students, faculty, and industry professionals.
She shared that the event “Was an encouraging place for women and non-binary people in engineering to share experiences and be part of an uplifting and supportive community.”
Anna VanDeBerg '25, Acoustical Engineering and Music, CETAI love the community at UHart. It’s a smaller school with small class sizes, so I know almost everyone in my classes, and I’m connected to so many others through clubs and organizations. Especially as a student from far out of state, it’s nice to have UHart feel like a second home."
Anna credits the accessibility of professors and the supportive environment within CETA for her academic success. The Women's Advancement Initiative LEAD program has played a significant role in shaping her leadership skills, providing a sense of family during her freshman year's adjustment to college life.
Over the summer and during winter break, Anna secured an acoustical engineering internship at Riedel & Associates in Milwaukee, WI. During the internship, Anna worked on architectural acoustics projects for worship spaces. Part of the work included honing her skills in data processing, client communication, report writing, acoustical calculation programs, and modeling software.
The internship also offered Anna the opportunity to combine her classroom knowledge with real-world industry experience. “My favorite part of the internship is going on-site visits for acoustical testing. I visited a few different churches and one former church that was being converted into a community theater. After studying room acoustics in class sophomore year, it was fascinating to see how different architectural features affected the acoustical properties of each space. Every project had its unique challenges.”
After graduation, Anna hopes to secure a career in Acoustical Consulting. She shared that the university’s supportive environment makes her feel well-prepared to make a significant impact in her field.