The purpose of Mitchell’s project is to use renewable energy to remove contamination from soil without extensive excavation. Using renewable energy will allow her to eradicate the contamination by concentrating it over the course of 40 days. Over the process, the soil will be cleaned, leaving only a small amount will be removed and destroyed. If successful, the result is a much more cost-effective and less damaging way to save soil and remove dangerous elements from contaminated soil and groundwater. Ultimately this will give people, in contaminated areas, restored access to clean water. 

Mitchell also received the Commitment to Engineering Excellence scholarship. This scholarship gives preference to underrepresented students, specifically women and minority students whose presence will enhance the learning environment through increased diversity in the School of Engineering and Technology. Students must be directly admitted to the School of Engineering and Technology in an engineering or engineering technology program.