April 29, 2026

What’s next for the Class of 2026: Martin Ayala

Ayala is grateful Lafayette made it possible to study abroad in Madrid while still taking core engineering courses

“What’s next for the Class of 2026” is a series that features Lafayette grads—where they’re headed, and the mentors, resources, and experiences that inspired their future path. Stay tuned for more stories throughout April and May.

Martin Ayala stands in front of Acopian.

(Photo | JaQuan Alston)

By: Kelly Huth

Major/minor:

Mechanical engineering with a minor in architectural studies

Destination/future plans:

After graduating, Martin Ayala ’26 will work as a field engineer for Turner Construction’s Philadelphia business unit. He’ll serve as a field engineer on several projects.

Involvement on campus:

Ayala served as a resident adviser during his time at Lafayette—an experience he’s grateful for because it’s given him an opportunity to take on a leadership role, and evolved into a head resident adviser role in fall 2025.

As soon as he arrived on campus, he joined the International Student Association (ISA) and remained active throughout his four years.

“International orientation is such a great program at Lafayette. It was such a great introduction to campus and it really shaped my experience,” Ayala adds. “I made a lot of long-lasting friendships through that program.”

He’s grateful to Janine Block, associate director, international student advising and support, and ISA adviser.

“She’s like our mom away from home. She takes care of us, makes everything happen, and we all really look up to her,” Ayala says.

Outside of the classroom he put his skills to work through Engineers Without Borders (2022-25), joined the Ultimate Frisbee Club (2022-24), worked for the Office of Sustainability as part of the outreach and engagement team (2022-23), became a member of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (2022-26, serving as vice president of operations in 2025), and joined Chi Phi (2023-26).

“I was a little skeptical about joining a fraternity but it’s been a great experience, and I’ve found amazing friends,” Ayala says. He notes that Chi Phi, where he served as the DEI chair (2024-25), also has an alumni network that helped him grow in his field.

The experiences that mattered most:

Ayala notes that when he looks back on all the things he’s learned and accomplished at Lafayette, what stands out most is his experience studying abroad in Madrid in spring of his sophomore year. Because it was an extension of the engineering program, he was able to take the same classes in Madrid he would’ve had on campus, while in the company of his fellow students and Lafayette professors.

“It was the best experience I had. We’d travel every weekend, either as a class or on our own,” Ayala says, noting visits to Morocco, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, and France.

“It was an awesome experience—unreal! We got to learn about other cultures and travel while studying engineering and architecture.”

He’s also grateful for the opportunity the summer after his sophomore year to research alongside Praveen Malali, visiting assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Their research on marine hydro kinetic technologies was published in Dec. 2025, “Technology Readiness Level assessment of hydrokinetic energy converters.”

How Lafayette shaped your future:

“I think one of my biggest resources was Gateway Career Center and Laura Wallace. She was great,” Ayala says of the assistant director and Gateway Career counselor. “She was really able to help me navigate and make connections.”

Through Gateway, he found an internship that showed him a future path in his field. In his junior year, Ayala took a role as an engineering intern at Oldcastle APG in Easton, which focused on architectural masonry and landscape materials. He learned about product optimization, how to decrease labor costs and improve profit, worked on CAD drawings, and assisted with a specific product line to analyze where improvements could be made. When given the opportunity to extend the internship into his first semester of senior year, he took it.

“Getting in contact with Turner happened through Gateway. They have such great connections and put me in touch with Turner. Gateway helped me get that foot in the door.”

Why Lafayette?

“I think the people here are what make Lafayette. The community here is the best and I couldn’t have found a better school,” he says. “I needed a small liberal arts school, a small community with professors I could be in touch with.”

What he’ll miss most when he leaves campus is hanging on the Quad playing games with friends, and walking around campus seeing people he knows.

“I know when I leave my room I’m going to run into someone I know,” he says. “It’s a very warm and welcoming community. Community is something that Lafayette does really well.”

The people that inspired you along the way:

Ayala says he’s grateful for his professors, particularly in the Engineering Department, who have been incredible guides of what he can do in his future.

He’s grateful to Toby Rossmann, associate professor of mechanical engineering, for telling him, “I know what you like, and what you would be good at,” and suggesting opportunities to consider after graduation.

Ayala says David Mante, associate professor in civil and environmental engineering, was one of his favorite professors. Ayala took his ES 230: Strength and Materials class, and though the course was challenging, he learned so much from the class and from Mante. “He was a great professor and offered advice on what to do after Lafayette.”

“We have very intentional professors who really care where we end up, what skills we have, and how the future is looking for us,” Ayala says. “We are so lucky to have professors who care so deeply about what they do. There’s not a single prof I’ve had who hasn’t taught with passion.”

“Classes are rigorous but the professors make learning easier, and they really help you get your career going, show you what growth looks like, and how to plan for your future.”