When Natalia Avella moved to the United States three years ago, she carried with her a childhood dream: to become an aerospace engineer.
Avella remembers the clear night sky in her small Colombian hometown, where she spent countless nights gazing at the stars.
“I fell in love with space and the universe and space exploration in general,” Avella explained. “I fell in love with the philosophy behind it, the way it makes us question everything.”
This childhood fascination evolved into a professional ambition that brought her to what was formerly known as Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). But she eventually found her way to Ivy Tech Indianapolis, following in the footsteps of her mentor Israel Doroteo, an Ivy Tech alumnus now working as a senior engineer at Eli Lilly and Company.
"I came to Ivy Tech and I fell in love with everything ... I stayed because of the people, the staff, and faculty. I just felt that sense of community,” Avella shared. “It helped me have a more personalized experience of learning."
Now, the 21-year-old engineering student is set to graduate in May 2026, and she isn't just pursuing her own dreams—she's creating pathways and community for others interested in the same field of work by establishing Ivy Tech Indianapolis' first Robotics Club.
“Back in Colombia, I always wanted to join a robotics club in college,” she said. “When I got to Ivy Tech, I realized there wasn’t one, so I decided to start it.”
Avella is quick to credit the Ivy Tech Indy mentors who shaped her journey, including Anthony Halmon, director of student life, development, and leadership; Alexander Banks, assistant director of student life; the Advanced Automation & Robotics Technology program chairs; advisors of the Robotics Club; and Marvin Smith, an Ivy Tech Indianapolis Industrial Technology employer consultant.
"They've played a significant role in my personal growth, leadership development, and the founding of the Robotics Club," Avella emphasized. "Seeing how they take action to improve our community inspired me to do the same."
With their support and the help of fellow students, Avella built the club from the ground up, grew it to 40 general members and a dedicated team of 10 who met weekly. Under her leadership, the club competed in Real Sight Robotics, a combat robotics event, where they designed and built their first battle-ready robot.
With just one week to design and build their combat robot before the tournament, the team worked tirelessly between classes and finals.
Though technical hurdles ultimately prevented them from competing, Avella refuses to call it a loss.
“We didn’t fail, we learned," she says. “We learned what we need to improve and how to solve problems in real time. It was about more than just robots. It was teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance.”
The team’s ability to build a functional robot in just seven days, she argues, was its own victory.
The club Avella built will thrive under new leadership in the 2025-26 school year, as she focuses on her final year of studies at Ivy Tech.
Between leading the Robotics Club, participating in the Student Government Association (SGA), and countless other groups, all while pursuing a rigorous engineering course load, Avella learned the importance of time management.
“I had to learn when to say ‘no’ and how to balance academics, leadership, and personal goals,” she said.
With that said, Avella does not regret all of her proactive involvement, and to the contrary, advises incoming students to get involved as much as possible.
“Go to events, meet people, and build relationships with faculty. You’ll learn more than just technical skills, you’ll grow,” she said.
After graduating, Avella plans to transfer to a four-year university to study aerospace engineering, with a bold vision for her future.
“I want to lead missions that benefit humanity and inspire social awareness about space exploration,” she said. “It’s not just science—it’s about questioning our place in the universe.”
For now, she remains an active member of the Robotics Club, supporting its new president, while focusing on her studies. Reflecting on her journey, Avella emphasized resilience: “Reconnecting with my roots reminds me why I keep going. I know where I came from and where I’m headed.”
For Avella, Ivy Tech is more than just a community college; it is the catalyst that transformed her from an international student with big dreams into a confident leader and innovator.
“Ivy Tech has made a lasting impact on my life,” Avella said. “The people here helped me find my path and build a sense of community.”
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
