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Georgia Tech's Class of 2026 Superlatives

By: Sharita Hanley | Categories: Featured Stories

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The 2026 Georgia Tech grads have plenty to buzz about. They’re alumni of one of the best universities in the nation and the rankings prove it. In the last four years, the Institute was ranked:

  • No. 1 Best Value Public College, Princeton Review (2025, 2024, 2023) 
  • No. 1 Public School for Career Placement, Princeton Review (2025, 2023) 
  • No. 1 Public College for ROI in the U.S., CNBC (2025)
During the Institute’s 270th Commencement this spring, 7,129 Yellow Jackets received degrees. Meet a few of the graduates who made this class one to remember: the 2026 superlatives.
McCarthy headshot Most Likely to Help Engineer the Next Kendeda Building: Lucas McCarty, ME 25, MS ME 26

Most Likely to Help Engineer the Next Kendeda Building: Lucas McCarty, ME 25, MS ME 26

Post Grad Plans: Working as a research and development (R&D) engineer for Siemens on smart infrastructure products that help connect solar and other renewables into homes and buildings.

Involved in: German Club, RoboJackets, and HyTech Racing

Favorite Tech Memory: Competing at the National Havoc Robot League 30lb and combat robotics world championship. At the 2025 event, our team defeated No. 1-ranked robot Ares from MIT.
Venkat graduation photo Most Progress and Service: Esha Venkat, PP 26

Most Progress and Service: Esha Venkat, PP 26

Post Grad Plans: Staying at Georgia Tech one more year to complete my B.S./M.S. in Public Policy. I will be graduating in four years with two degrees from Tech!

Involved In: NEST4US, a nonprofit founded by Venkat and her sister, the Honors Leadership Council of the John H. Martinson Honors Program, the Stamps President’s Scholars Program, the OUESS Student Advisory Board, Campus Kitchens Project, MOVE, and Students Organizing for Sustainability.

Favorite Tech Memory: Being selected as the 2026 student Commencement speaker at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and College of Computing bachelors’ graduation ceremony.
Wilson photo with Buzz and large check Most Likely to Engineer a Rocket That Plays “Up with the White and Gold” in Space: Drew Wilson, AE 26

Most Likely to Engineer a Rocket That Plays “Up with the White and Gold” in Space: Drew Wilson, AE 26

Post Grad Plans: Work as a structures engineer with the SpaceX Launch Tower Team.

Involved In: Yellow Jacket Marching Band, the Yellow Jacket Space Program, Kappa Psi musician service fraternity, and Tau Beta Pi Honor Society.

Favorite Tech Memory: Leading the ground structures team on the Yellow Jacket Space Program (YJSP) and building the country’s largest rocket launch tower.
Saddiqi headshot Most Likely to Redesign Skiles Walkway: Shaiba Bano Siddiqui, MS UD 26

Most Likely to Redesign Skiles Walkway: Shaiba Bano Siddiqui, MS UD 26

Post Grad Plans: To work as an urban designer/planner, focusing on climate-responsive and equity-driven urban design.

Involved In: Regeneration Field Institute (RFI), the American Planning Association’s (APA) Design-Preservation Rapid Assistance Team (D-PRAT), and the Urban Designer ULI Hines Competition.

Favorite Tech Memory: Winning the MS Urban Design Fall 2024 Portfolio Competition.
Hays photo ringing a bell Most Likely to Match Buzz’s Energy: Rob Hays, BA 26

Most Likely to Match Buzz’s Energy: Rob Hays, BA 26

Post Grad Plans: Business analyst at McKinsey & Company.

Involved In: Vice president of recruitment for Alpha Epsilon Pi, member of the Yellow Jacket Club Executive Board, a Scheller Business Ambassador, and a Denning T&M Scholar.

Favorite Tech Memory: Going to games against the University of Georgia. Whether it is baseball, basketball, or football, the rivalry always brings out the best energy and school spirit.
Humrasker photo next to Klaus building OMS Royalty: Dipti Amogh Humraskar, MS CS 25

OMS Royalty: Dipti Amogh Humraskar, MS CS 25

Post Grad Plans: Advancing my career to focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Involved In: Worked with the Judicial Branch of the Student Government Association, helping build applications that create a safer and more secure community.

Favorite Tech Memory: Challenging hands-on projects, deepening my technical skills, and engaging discussions to coffee hours and collaborating with classmates from around the world. I also welcomed two beautiful children along the way.
Note: Superlatives were chosen based on graduates who submitted grad photos and post-grad plans and were selected by the Alumni Magazine editorial team.  

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