# @universityofri on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYSRIZiDt1C
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65431656-universityofri-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/a821c53653.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-13T16:24:11.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** URI — University of Rhode Island (@universityofri) — https://gondola.cc/universityofri

## Caption

Meet Victoria Reilly, a doctoral graduate in mechanical engineering from Johnston, Rhode Island, and this year’s student commencement speaker for the College of Engineering.

Victoria’s path to engineering began with a love of math, science, and building things, inspired early on by her dad, a mechanical engineer. As an undergrad, she also pursued ballet at a high level, balancing rigorous coursework with intensive training and performances.

After an injury shifted her plans to pursue ballet professionally, Victoria stayed at URI for graduate school, where she expanded her focus. She conducted research in the Dynamic Photo-Mechanics Laboratory on underwater implosion and fluid-structure interaction while also earning her MBA alongside her Ph.D.

Beyond the lab, Victoria founded the URI Consulting Club—one of her proudest accomplishments at URI—creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in business strategy and real-world problem solving. She was also involved in Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and the Society for Experimental Mechanics, and served as a teaching assistant and mentor. She presented research at conferences nationwide, contributed to journal publications, and earned top honors including the URI Graduate Research Showcase Poster Competition and the university’s Three Minute Thesis competition.

“Graduating means so much more to me than just finishing a degree,” Victoria says. “It reflects seven years of growth in an environment that pushed me beyond what I perceived to be my limits, while also supporting me.”

As a three-time URI graduate, Victoria now co-owns Unity Consulting Group, helping Rhode Island businesses grow and strengthen their operations. After graduation, she plans to continue building the company while also working with an engineering organization to deepen her technical expertise, carrying forward a strong sense of community, leadership, and adaptability—and a belief that success is defined by the impact you have on others.

📸 courtesy of: victoria.reilly
#GoRhody #RhodyGrad #RhodyGrads #URI2026 #ClassOf2026

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## Tags

classof2026, gorhody, rhodygrad, rhodygrads, uri2026

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