Bio

Born in South Carolina, Layton Laurita grew up in Lake Lure, North Carolina, with three siblings. He chose NC State for its strong engineering program, academic reputation and affordable in-state tuition.

Laurita chose ISE because he enjoys solving large, real-world problems. He finds the systems behind everyday activities especially interesting. For example, fast-food restaurants must manage traffic during busy hours. Airports must move thousands of travelers to their destinations on time. Surgical teams must also work together with precision and efficiency.

Laurita originally entered NC State as a Computer Science major. However, his plans changed after someone gave an ISE presentation in his residence hall. The presentation introduced him to the possibilities within Industrial and Systems Engineering. Soon afterward, he switched his major to ISE.

As Laurita became more involved, he met ISE Ambassadors who helped students during advising. They provided helpful information while also serving as approachable peers. As a result, their support inspired Laurita to become an ISE Ambassador himself.