Full STEM ahead
Collin Romero is a 2019 graduate of Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) with a passion for aerospace and a love of football. Colorado School of Mines (Mines) was the perfect place to land for both.
As one of the first students at American Academy (AA) – Castle Pines, Collin found fuel there for his love of science, a gift from his engineering grandfather. He grew up in the Greenbriar neighborhood and completed kindergarten through eighth grade at AA before starting at RCHS.
Collin Romero, defensive safety #25, runs onto the field for the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers during the NCAA Division II National Championship game in 2022.
In high school, Collin was immersed in his studies, including advanced placement classes as well as astronomy and engineering classes. He was also a three-season athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball. In January 2019, he committed to Mines for Division II football.
In college, he focused on mechanical engineering, a broad engineering path with many avenues.
“I liked it because it is the idea of being a problem solver and that is nice to have in day-to-day life and with work,” said Collin. With his elective courses, he pursued an aerospace emphasis.
Collin quickly learned to balance late night studying and early morning workouts. “It helped me develop into a better person and have a better understanding of what I want to do,” he added.
Collin’s time at Mines has included many opportunities. His internship at TTM Technologies allowed him to help design an automated measuring tool for a long-distance radar panel piece, which must be completely level and flat. He also took part in a challenge from Lockheed Martin called “Over the Dusty Moon” with the goal of finding the best possible solution to move samples from the lunar regolith.
On the football front, as a defensive safety, Collin helped carry the team to three consecutive post season runs, including the semifinals in 2021 and national championship games in 2022 and 2023. Although he could technically play another year – due to red-shirting his freshman year and the pandemic – his cleats have seen the last game.
Collin has already earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, but through the Mine’s 4+1 program, he has also been working toward his master’s degree in engineering and technology management. Building communication and management skills on top of his integral knowledge of equations is important. “I wanted to round out my education,” concluded Collin.
Once he completes his master’s degree in May, the sky is the limit for this local kid who built toy rockets with his grandfather and has always dreamt of being a rocket scientist.
Collin Romero – pictured with his two sisters, Kyleigh and Chloe and mom and dad, Karen and David – graduated last year with his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Colorado School of Mines. He is now completing an additional year and will receive his master’s degree in engineering and technology management in May.
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Collin Romero
