James Perina

"Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have strength." - Napoleon

Meet James Perina, a sophomore pursuing a B.S. degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He hails from Fairfax, VA, and takes great pride in being a Virginia Tech Engineer. James values the camaraderie among engineering students, especially during their freshman year when they all took similar classes. Additionally, the vast alumni network provides him with a sense of support and opportunity.

In his personal life, James has a dog named Daisy and four fiddler crabs as pets, adding a touch of wildlife to his surroundings. His hobbies include weightlifting, exploring the world of cars, indulging in productivity and self-help books, and enjoying Star Wars, and a particular fondness for the character Bob the Minion from Despicable Me.

Music-wise, James is currently drawn to house music, and his favorite movie is Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Looking back to his middle school days, James dreamt of becoming either a pilot or an engineer, and now at Virginia Tech, his aspirations have shifted towards entrepreneurship, with a desire to start his own business in the future.

Outside of academics, James is actively involved with CEED and the College of Engineering. During his freshman year, he participated in the Peer Mentorship group and was engaged with SHPE. Presently, James is a part of the College of Engineering Dean's Team.

Not one to overlook the importance of giving back, James is dedicated to volunteer service. He lends his time and efforts to his church's initiatives and volunteers at a food pantry. When asked about one thing he would change, James expresses a heartfelt desire for people to work together in finding common ground on the myriad of issues that currently divide society.