Nyah Dedeaux

Nyah Dedeaux is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the spring of 2026. She’s from Madison, Alabama, and she is a high-stepper on the Auburn Danceline, a member of the Society of Women Engineers and is pursuing a minor in supply chain management.   

Why Auburn?   

“When I was looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted to go somewhere that combined my passions for dance and engineering, and Auburn had both of those things. During my senior year of high school, I went to an Auburn dance clinic and that’s when I knew it was the perfect place for me. Auburn really is a family; everyone always has each other’s backs, and I’ve never been to a more welcoming place. There is never any pressure or competition with my fellow students. I only feel supported in everything I do. That sense of belonging has made my time here unforgettable.”  

Why Industrial and Systems Engineering?   

“My mom is an industrial engineer, and being from Huntsville, you are exposed to engineering from an early age. My love for math and science also made it seem like a perfect fit for me. It was only when I started to talk to other Auburn engineering students that I realized my interest in industrial and systems engineering. The switch from aerospace engineering to industrial and systems engineering solidified my passion, and I absolutely fell in love with the program.”  

Extracurriculars?    

“Being on the Dance Line has been such an added bonus during my time at Auburn. One of my all-time favorite memories was performing at LSU in 2021 when we won in Baton Rouge for the first time in 22 years. The atmosphere was so different at the game, and even the LSU fans were interested in our performance. No one expected us to win, but at the end we pulled it off. I’ll never forget that game.”  

Future Goals?  

“As a SMART Scholar, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a position with Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, where I will be doing model-based systems engineering when I graduate. I was really lucky to have had amazing internships during my time at Auburn, which led me to where I am today. I interned at Brasfield and Gorrie in planning and scheduling and at DEVCOM in model-based systems engineering. Both of these experiences set the stage for my future career.”  

To learn more about Dedeaux, check out her interview on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast.