ASU grad pairs history major, robotics engineering at Polytechnic campus

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.

Chloe-Marie H. Fox is graduating with concurrent bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus that may seem like a mixed-media mashup: one in history (with a focus on religion) from the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, and the other in robotics engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

“The first is my passion, and I picked it up for fun and the love of learning,” Fox said. “The second is my career.”

Fox, who is also a student in Barrett, The Honors College, grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and always had her sites set on ASU.

“I couldn’t wait to be a Sun Devil like my mum! My mum and Uncle Joseph both graduated from ASU and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

Fox entered ASU with a declared major in robotics engineering and 30 credits, due to the early college program available during high school in partnership with Chandler Gilbert Community College.

“So as a freshman, I had already completed most all of my humanities credits and was taking solely science, math and engineering courses,” explained Fox, who got hooked on engineering at a VEX Robotics event at a local library where the kids were tasked with designing their own robots to pick up blocks. “I had enjoyed that event so much that my mum signed me up for a robotics camp at ASU my sophomore year of high school and it just solidified for me that I wanted to be a robotics engineer. But I realized my first year at ASU that I missed taking humanities courses.

“I did some digging into the major maps and realized that most of my transfer credits worked with the history major,” Fox said. “I was ecstatic! I loved learning about history in high school and couldn’t wait to dive into more specific topics! So I applied for concurrent degrees and here we are!”

Fox said it feels amazing to be pursuing opposite majors.

“They may not seem to go together in a normal way, but they both help me view the world in different realms and thus I get to see the bigger picture.”

The beauty and applied learning at ASU Polytechnic campus really agreed with Fox, who said a favorite spot on campus for studying or meeting friends was the Innovation Hub classrooms.

“No matter what subject it was or if we were all working on different classes, that is where we would meet and it was amazing." 

Fox shared some more about her ASU experience and future plans.

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: Truthfully, I have learned a lot. I have learned about so many different historical events, religions and all sorts of academic knowledge. I have learned a lot about myself, too. Like, coffee is amazing and helps to write papers, and that I think I needed both subjects — history and engineering — to feel well rounded in my academic career. I love to learn, and to be able to graduate with two degrees showcases my love of the pursuit of knowledge.

Q: Thinking back, what do you think is the most interesting moment or story or accomplishment in your ASU journey?   

A: I love to read, so any book that is required for a class I keep. I have a mini library of historical and engineering textbooks. If I get immersed into a book, once I finish the book I’ll then immediately tell my friends and end up giving a mini lecture about what it was. My friends are not history majors, but they fully listen to the stories I tell them. I received the best compliment from one of them, who said the way I engage in the history lesson and how I light up telling them information makes it interesting to learn about history, when they previously did not care for the subject. It was nice to be told that my passion for history is shown when I talk about it, and I take that as a big accomplishment.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU and what was it?

A: Out of all my professors I really enjoyed Dr. Debra Neill’s classes, HST 361: Witchcraft and Heresy in Europe and HST 309: Exploration and Empire. I think the valuable lesson I learned from her classes is that there are always two sides to the story. As historians we must look at every angle to see the full picture. There is always more to learn.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: One: Do not wait until the last minute to write a 10-page paper — it worked out for me due to the sheer volume of coffee consumed, but I don’t recommend it. Two: There is always more to learn. Three: "First do what is necessary. Then do what is possible. And before you know it you are doing the impossible." — A quote by Saint Francis Assisi. That quote has kept me going and now I am graduating with two majors and am working toward a master’s degree. You can do anything you want to do; just start in small steps and soon you’ll be taking strides.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I will be continuing my education by pursuing my Master of Science in robotics and autonomous systems (systems engineering).

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: My first thought is how to teach others to be open minded. How can we teach others to look for the full truth of the matter? How can money go toward that?

My second thought would be using the money to create a device that would purify water so that people can have access to clean water. The money would go to design and implementation of devices in countries that need it.