Why Failing is Not Failure

Since she was little, biological engineering student Melissa Wiggins was enamored by the world of science and engineering. She looked up to her mother, a chemical engineer, and loved creating and innovating anything she could get her hands on.

In high school, Wiggins served as captain of the color guard team and spent time in China learning Mandarin, furthering her drive for self-improvement.

“I wanted to be a Disney Imagineer and go into mechanical engineering,” she said. “I even got a scholarship to go to New York City and attend the Maker Fair for electrical engineering. All of it just solidified that I wanted to be in engineering, no matter the type.”

When she was 13, Wiggins was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Throughout the pain, surgery, and recovery, her goals shifted, and Wiggins realized she wanted to help people just as others had helped her by going into medicine. Although many schools had a biomedical engineering program, Wiggins decided on Utah State University, known for its prestigious engineering programs, and enrolled in biological engineering.

During her time at USU, Wiggins took on several leadership roles. As the Vice President of Scholarships and Awards for the Society of Women Engineers in 2021 and Vice President of Professional Development the following year, she worked hard to foster a sense of community and support for women in engineering. She also served on the Student Leadership Advisory Board for Biological Engineering, worked as a lead lab tech in the COVID wastewater lab, and worked as a certified pharmacy technician. Her involvement as an undergraduate teaching fellow and Ambassador President for the college further demonstrated her commitment to helping others thrive academically.

One of Wiggins’ proudest moments came during She-Tech, an event where high school girls can explore engineering in industry and academia. A student who had taken a tour the previous year approached her, saying, “You’re the reason I’m going to Utah State.”

“It was a moment of validation for me,” she said. “It was like, all the hard work and dedication I put into showing how much I love this program and this school actually made a difference.”

Despite her achievements, Melissa’s journey was not without setbacks. In 2022, she hit rock bottom and dropped out of her classes, struggling to find her way. Slowly, she climbed back, rebuilding her confidence and pushing forward. Now, she is stronger for it, something she takes great pride in.

"It’s okay to fail," she said. "Most people have and will, and everyone feels misplaced sometimes. Don’t let the imposter syndrome get to you. You’re good enough to be here, and you’re amazing for trying."

After graduation, Wiggins is getting her master’s to become a physician’s assistant, where she hopes she’ll still be able to make a difference in the world.

“It’s not the setbacks that define you,” she added, “but how you rise from them.”

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Writer: Sydney Dahle, sydney.dahle@usu.edu, 435-797-7512

Contact: Melissa Wiggins, melissa.wiggins@usu.edu